Every Albertan Deserves a Home

All Albertans deserve a safe and affordable place to call home.


Today, more Albertans are living in insecure housing as the demand for permanent, affordable housing outstrips availability in communities across the province. Meanwhile, as the cost of rent and housing climbs, Albertans continue to experience the stress of crushing inflation.


The UCP have decreased the number of provincially supported affordable homes by 8,000 and they cut financial assistance programs that support Albertans. Many nonprofit and charitable community organizations are working hard to fill the gap, often without the resources required to make a meaningful impact on this growing problem.


Today, there are more than 25,000 Albertans on the waiting list for affordable housing and homelessness remains a major challenge. This is unacceptable. Albertans deserve better. They deserve a government ready to act on what matters.


That’s why Alberta’s NDP is releasing our proposal — Every Albertan Deserves a Home — as a clear plan to tackle the immense housing challenges facing Alberta communities today. We commit to housing another 40,000 Albertans within the next five years.

Affordable Housing is a provincial responsibility, and we cannot afford to fall short. Alberta’s NDP will act so all Albertans can have a safe place to call home and have the support they need to live a healthy and dignified life. Rachel Notley 

 

Our Proposals

  • PROVIDE PREDICTABLE, CONSISTENT FUNDING FOR SHELTER SPACES

    • We propose, specifically, consulting with social agencies on the development and establishment of a funding formula for shelters.

  • BUILD 8,500 MORE SOCIAL HOUSING UNITS

    • We propose increasing social housing by 8,500 units over five years.
      This will be done in partnership and cost sharing with municipal and federal governments and housing providers.

  • INCREASE RENTAL ASSISTANCE

    • We propose to increase the number of households who receive rental assistance by 11,000, bringing the total up to 20,000 over the next five years.

  • PROVIDING MORE WRAPAROUND SUPPORT

    • The provincial government will take more responsibility in funding wrap-around services in affordable housing, including for permanent supportive housing and tenant support staff.

  • SUPPORT INDIGENOUS-LED AND DESIGNED HOUSING, RESTORE INDIGENOUS HOUSING CAPITAL PROGRAM

    • We propose the government of Alberta work with Indigenous people and communities to create an Indigenous Housing Strategy, similar to what the Aboriginal Housing Management Association has done in British Columbia through the British Columbia urban Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy.

  • CREATE ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION LEGISLATION

    • We propose, the government consult, draft, evaluate and implement Accessibility and Inclusion legislation.

  • INCREASE THE THRESHOLD OF ALLOWABLE ASSETS TO ACCESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING ONCE THE WAITING LIST FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS REDUCED

    • We propose increasing the income threshold for allowable assets above $25,000 once the waiting list for affordable housing has been significantly reduced.

  • REFORM INCOME SUPPORT AND ADDITIONAL SHELTER BENEFIT

    • We recommend the provincial government consult with Albertans on Income Support and reverse UCP policies that have disqualified thousands from receiving shelter support.

  • CREATE RENT BANKS TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM SUDDEN EVICTIONS

    • Massive increases to the cost of rent are having a devastating impact on many Albertans. This became clear in our consultations and the largest increases have actually occurred after those concluded.

  • REVIEW RENTER’S LEGISLATION AND POLICY

    • We are committed to having an extensive consultation about rental policy if we are elected and want all the people who should be involved in that conversation–including renters, landlords, and policy experts–to be there.

  • EXPLORE CREATION OF ATTAINABLE HOMES PROGRAM

    • In addition to building social housing and analyzing rental policy, home ownership is an important part of housing policy. Affordable home ownership is a way to support families to have a stable future in market housing. This policy is especially impactful for newcomers to Alberta.

 

Find Out More

Leave a Comment

Sarah M. Collins

Posted

Currently, Alberta does NOT have any rent control. Therefore, the provincial government needs to legislate a rent control bill that makes it prohibitive for landlords to raise rents to whatever rate they want to every year. Every month Alberta has hundreds of people from across the country and from other countries moving to our province. Therefore, rents should be based on the cost of living affordability and/or inflation. Thank you.

Pat Thomas

Posted

Why are AISH clients excluded from the additional shelter benefit? Many are having to spend their entire cheques to pay for housing that suits their specific disability related needs. Subsidized housing agencies refuse to modify units to a specific person’s disability needs. Not everyone needs a wheelchair accessible place. Everyone’s disability is unique and should be treated that way. Calgary Housing should give higher rent subsidies to those needing larger units or units that meet disability needs. Even with subsidies more than 30% of income is going to rent. Why should some get lifelong rent of $120/month when others solely because of disability are denied subsidized or access to affordable housing. Pet should be allowed in units without extra deposits or monthly rental fees.

Diane MacNaughton

Posted

I think all of these proposals are a step in the right direction. I would like to see some rent control policy it is difficult when person is on a fixed income like AISH to have your rent go up every year.

D Aspen

Posted

I would like to see more Co Operative housing in Alberta. This system works well and is inclusive, affordable and a great asset to communities.

nancy

Posted

I've been receiving TRAB Private Landlord Subsidy in order to remain in my private rental unit but last year I was given a T4 and had to declare the monthly amount provided to me in order to pay my private landlord's rental as INCOME and therefore no longer qualify for any other subsidies I would have qualified for previous years. I'm a Low income senior - this is devastating as I require subsidies for necessary transportation to and from dialysis 5xs a week 2 ways along with subsidy for homemaking services which I may not receive now that my INCOME line 15000 has risen to above allowable rates for subsidy.

Francois Bedard

Posted

I like the idea so far. I would like to see more housing built overall, not just for low income. Build more housing to force downward pressure on the market. If need be allow tax write off for loss of value of starter houses worth less then 500 000 or something or the sorts.

Tim Southernwood

Posted

EXPLORE CREATION OF ATTAINABLE HOMES PROGRAM I have a plan that can provide affordable tiny homes for both young people starting out and for senior and homeless folks to live comfortably. If coupled with a government backed "small mortgage" program creating an affordable solution for homeless and seniors, and a way for young people to build their credit. This creates an in province industry and employment, supports existing business, and helps to solve some social issues. This is a workable plan. I hope I can help

Marion Desplenter

Posted

I love the idea of the Indigenous Housing Strategy! What about access to home ownership for Muslims? Edmonton-based Canadian Halal Financial Corporation opened in December and works as a partner in home buying that is consistent with the Muslim faith.

Robin

Posted

As a Landlord more needs to be done to hold people accountable for there actions with increased regulation in the rental market. I believe this would increase investment into affordable rental properties.