Affordable Housing
Calgary is experiencing rapid growth, but its housing supply has not kept pace. More families, seniors, students, and working households are struggling to find affordable homes. In response, the City Council adopted a comprehensive Housing Strategy in 2023 — a strategy the Calgary Alliance strongly advocated for — to increase housing supply and improve affordability across the full housing continuum.
A central part of that strategy was citywide rezoning (R-CG), allowing modest, ground-oriented homes such as duplexes, rowhouses, and secondary suites in residential areas. Since its adoption, housing starts have increased, small-scale housing has expanded, and rents have begun to stabilize.
City Council is now considering repealing rezoning, without presenting a replacement plan. A public hearing is scheduled for March 23. Repeal without a credible alternative risks slowing housing production, jeopardizing federal housing and transit funding, and undermining recent affordability gains.
The Calgary Alliance’s position is clear:
No Repeal Without Replace
If Council chooses to amend or repeal rezoning, it must present a clear replacement plan that:
- Protects housing supply
- Maintains eligibility for federal funding
- Preserves missing-middle housing opportunities
- Safeguards progress on affordability
What We Are Doing
The Affordable Housing Team is organizing coordinated advocacy to ensure responsible housing policy in Calgary. Our current work includes:
- Engaging City Council on rezoning and housing supply
- Advocating for release of appropriately zoned land
- Supporting rental assistance measures
- Training community members to speak at public hearings
- Providing research and policy analysis on housing impacts
Take Action
We invite Calgary Alliance leaders, institutions, and community members to take part by doing three things:
1. Write Your Councillor
Use our letter-writing tool to send a message directly to the Council.
2. Speak at the Public Hearing (March 23)
Register to speak as part of the Calgary Alliance team:
Sign Up Here
When you sign up, we provide:
- Speaking notes
- Training
- Background materials
- Connection with other speakers
Or Submit a Written Comment
If you can not speak in person at the city council, add your voice to the official public record by submitting an official comment here.
3. Sign up to be present in the city council debate
For signing up to attend the city council debate on affordable housing and rezoning
Click Here
Resources
To support informed engagement, we’ve prepared: