Affordable Housing Review Panel

Overview

The Affordable Housing Review Panel was appointed to review Alberta’s affordable housing system in July 2020. This review explored ways to improve affordable housing. Nearly 500,000 Albertans spend more than 30% of their before-tax household income on housing, which is unaffordable according to the standard for affordability. Waitlists for affordable housing get longer each year. In 2020, more than 110,000 Albertans lived in affordable housing, and 19,000 more households were on waitlists.

The panel’s recommendations were used to create Stronger Foundations: Alberta’s 10-year strategy to improve and expand affordable housing .The 10-year plan will transform how Alberta’s affordable housing system is delivered so it is financially sustainable and able to address growing demand, now and in the future.

Timeline

Open

July 9 to August 31, 2020
Results under review
Completed

December 11, 2020

Who is listening

Ministry of Seniors and Housing

Input received

From July 9 to August 31, 2020, the panel sought the perspectives of stakeholder organizations representing groups most in need of affordable housing, including housing providers, private companies and civil society organizations.

The panel heard from participants through virtual engagement sessions and written submissions that a single approach will not work in every situation. Participants suggested that housing solutions can be found through a variety of locally-developed approaches.

Outcomes

The Affordable Housing Review Panel used feedback from participants to create the Final Report of the Affordable Housing Review Panel. The panel submitted this report to the Minister of Seniors and Housing on October 5, 2020.
Stronger Foundations: Alberta’s 10-year strategy to improve and expand affordable housing was released November 1, 2021 based on recommendations provided by the panel.
Bill 78: Alberta Housing Amendment Act was introduced on November 1, 2021 and would lay the groundwork to improve and expand Alberta’s affordable housing system by enabling key initiatives under the 10-year affordable housing strategic plan.

Panel recommendations

develop a provincial strategic plan for housing
create a plan to manage and transfer provincially owned land and buildings
build capacity of housing providers
provide a rent subsidy for Albertans who need temporary support but are not eligible for existing programs
simplify how income is calculated for affordable housing programs
support innovative approaches to housing such as mixed-income, mixed-use, tiny homes and secondary suites
encourage municipalities to develop local affordable housing plans
update regulations and streamline planning and approval processes for capital projects
simplify processes for applicants, tenants and housing operators

In general, recommendations focused on:

shifting government’s role from owner and controller to partner and funder
changing programs to support Albertans not buildings
drawing on local and private sector expertise to provide more housing options
updating regulations to encourage innovation and reduce administrative red tape

Panel mandate

The panel was asked to identify ways to make affordable housing more efficient and effective, including examining legislation and how housing assets are funded and operated.

The panel:

considered the supports required for Albertans in critical housing need
analyzed economic factors and housing market trends
compared the approaches other provinces and territories are taking to affordable housing

Read the full terms of reference

Panel members

The Affordable Housing Review Panel included the following members:

Mickey Amery, MLA Calgary-Cross, chair
Paul Boskovich, president, Genstar Developments
Lauren Ingalls, chief administrative officer, Westwinds Communities
Jeff Johnson, consultant and former provincial MLA and cabinet minister
Sam Kolias, co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer, Boardwalk REIT
Jerry Naqvi, founder and chairman, Cameron Development Corporation
Marcia Nelson, executive fellow, University of Calgary
Raymond Swonek, chief executive officer, Greater Edmonton Foundation
Dr. Sasha Tsenkova, professor, University of Calgary
Rachelle Venne, chief executive officer, Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women