"Dozens of Calgarians speak on housing as Ottawa pledges funding with conditions."

A rally of about 200 people over the lunch hour also came to city hall in an effort to urge council to act.

"The message that Calgarians have sent to councillors today is that they need them to take action immediately," said Becky Best-Bertwistle, an organizer with the group Calgary's Future.

The public hearing is expected to continue into Friday evening. A council meeting has been called for Saturday for debate on the strategy.