How does change happen? It begins with setting out a clear intention.
Next week, Edmonton will be hosting the first Prairie-focused Affordable Housing Summit. I’ll be part of a fireside chat talking about city building with former Toronto mayor David Miller and former Journal columnist Sen. Paula Simons.
It’s a bit of a full-circle moment. Nearly a decade ago, I was part of a city council that set out on a new direction to increase affordable housing in Edmonton. Key voices on council, including Scott McKeen, Michael Walters, Bev Esslinger, Ben Henderson and Andrew Knack were all vocal champions. A key principle for council was taking a citywide approach, rather than further concentrating affordable housing in traditionally low-income areas.
Affordable housing is always a bit of a political conundrum. Most people agree with the general concept: low-cost housing options for people in challenging circumstances. But people feel differently once change comes to their block. Fear can quickly turn to opposition, and opposition into political pressure. As phone calls, emails and meeting requests pour into the office, councillors often end up facing a tough choice.
As a politician, it’s often easier to say no.
But once we set a new direction in 2017, we held focus on bigger-picture benefits. Instead of fighting new affordable housing development, nearly all members of council actively defended a full spectrum of housing, from garage suites to mixed-market to supportive housing in their wards. It’s been a remarkable sustained political consensus.
Years later, the results are deeply gratifying. Over three successive councils, Edmonton’s affordable-housing portfolio has grown by roughly 43 per cent, the fastest growth in generations.
I can report from my national work that Edmonton is considered a clear Canadian leader in affordable housing. That’s not chest-thumping. Or underestimating the challenges still ahead. It’s recognition that forming a decisive intent can result in a significant impact.
Now, with results to show, it’s never been easier to say yes.
Next week’s summit is not just an opportunity to reflect, but a chance to look to the future. Affordability remains a massive concern for too many Edmontonians, especially for those who have the least means.
One of Edmonton’s calling cards is a well-functioning housing market for middle-class families, also thanks to many pro-housing, pro-density decisions. But Edmonton also has a high percentage of households with very low income. Edmonton has the third-highest rate of Core Housing Need in Canada, trailing only Toronto and Vancouver. Thanks to analysis of federal census data, we know that roughly 20,000 Edmonton households are just scraping by.
More than a third of those households include children. There are single moms. Families with health challenges or disabilities. Newcomers. Seniors. Wait lists are still growing faster than we can deliver new deeply affordable homes, and existing social housing is reaching the end of its life.
Insufficient affordable housing, despite our best efforts, is one of the main reasons Edmonton has seen a dramatic increase in homelessness in recent years. Living costs have gone up, with rising grocery prices, utility bills and overall rents. At the same time, we’re gradually losing the cheapest available market housing to redevelopment. This confluence of headwinds has left more households in housing precarity. From there, even a minor crisis can lead to homelessness.
Favourable zoning rules, downtown revitalization and infill development opportunities have helped to keep housing affordable and with plenty of options in Edmonton. Yet, the challenges remain significant. The upcoming summit offers a chance to build on successes and address persistent issues, ensuring that Edmonton continues to lead while tackling the affordability crisis head-on.
