Affordable housing is one of the most pressing issues in many growing cities, including Chestermere. As population increases and demand for housing rises, ensuring that all residents have access to safe, affordable, and suitable housing becomes an increasingly complex challenge. During my time as mayor, I worked closely with developers, community groups, and provincial agencies to address this challenge and find solutions that balanced growth with affordability.
The Growing Need for Affordable Housing
Rapid urban growth often leads to skyrocketing housing prices, making it more difficult for lower- and middle-income families to find suitable housing. As Chestermere grew, the demand for affordable housing increased, and many residents found themselves priced out of the market. Addressing this gap requires proactive planning, thoughtful policy development, and a mix of housing options that cater to various income levels.
Understanding Affordable Housing
Affordable housing isn’t just about lowering rents—it’s about ensuring that all residents, regardless of income, have access to housing that is safe, decent, and financially sustainable. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), housing is considered affordable if it costs less than 30% of a household’s gross income. This includes not just rent, but also utilities, maintenance, and other associated costs. For Chestermere, this meant addressing both market-rate housing shortages and the need for subsidized options for lower-income residents.
Collaborating with Developers
Developers play a key role in addressing housing needs, but without incentives and proper planning, they may focus solely on high-end projects that cater to more affluent buyers. During my tenure as mayor, we worked closely with private developers to encourage the construction of a broader range of housing types, from affordable rental units to mixed-income developments. Offering tax incentives, density bonuses, and reduced fees for affordable housing projects helped make these initiatives more viable for developers and ensured that growth included options for all income levels.
Municipal Land Use and Zoning Policies
One of the most effective tools a city has in addressing affordable housing is land-use and zoning policies. Adjusting zoning laws to allow for higher-density development, mixed-use neighborhoods, and the construction of affordable housing units is key. In Chestermere, we focused on identifying underutilized parcels of land where affordable housing could be developed. We also worked to streamline approval processes to reduce delays and make it easier for developers to build affordable units.
Public-Private Partnerships
One solution that proved successful in Chestermere was the use of public-private partnerships (PPPs). By partnering with private developers, municipalities can share the financial risk of building affordable housing while ensuring that the project meets community needs. In Chestermere, we worked with provincial and federal governments, as well as private investors, to fund and build mixed-income housing developments that included both market-rate and affordable units. These partnerships helped stretch limited municipal resources and provided affordable options in a rapidly growing market.
Inclusionary Zoning
Inclusionary zoning is a policy tool that requires a certain percentage of new development to be dedicated to affordable housing. This approach helps ensure that affordable housing is integrated into all parts of the city, preventing the segregation of low-income communities. During my time as mayor, we explored the possibility of implementing inclusionary zoning policies that would require developers to include affordable housing in large-scale residential developments. While not without challenges, inclusionary zoning is a potential tool for ensuring that affordable housing is part of the city’s growth strategy.
Supporting Rental Housing and Rent Control
While homeownership is often the goal for many families, rental housing is a critical part of the affordable housing landscape. In rapidly growing cities, rental units can become scarce and unaffordable, leading to increased homelessness and displacement. To address this, municipalities can invest in rental housing programs and work with landlords to ensure fair rental practices. While rent control policies are often seen as a controversial tool, they can help protect tenants from steep rent hikes and provide stability for low-income renters. We explored policies to protect renters from eviction and promote long-term rental affordability in Chestermere.
Creating a Sustainable Housing Strategy
Affordable housing solutions must go beyond temporary fixes. A sustainable housing strategy requires long-term planning, investment, and policy adjustments. In Chestermere, we developed a comprehensive housing strategy that looked not only at immediate needs but also future growth. This strategy included improving transportation links to affordable housing areas, offering subsidies for first-time homebuyers, and ensuring that our zoning policies supported diverse housing options.
Conclusion
The challenge of affordable housing in growing cities is complex and requires a multi-faceted approach. By working closely with developers, adjusting zoning laws, leveraging public-private partnerships, and adopting inclusive housing policies, municipalities can address housing affordability in a sustainable way. In Chestermere, we were able to make progress by prioritizing affordable housing and ensuring that it was a key part of the city’s long-term growth plan. Affordable housing is an investment in the future of a city—one that ensures all residents have a place to call home, no matter their income.
