Edmonton city officials and Alberta's housing minister have taken a significant step toward addressing the city's housing crisis by moving forward with a decade-old plan to repurpose former school properties for affordable housing.
Long-Awaited Plan Finally Moves Forward
On November 24, 2025, Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack and Jason Nixon, Alberta's Minister responsible for housing, made a joint announcement at city hall that marks the culmination of planning that began ten years earlier. The officials revealed they have selected affordable housing providers for ten former school sites throughout the city.
The symbolic nature of the announcement was highlighted when both politicians posed for photographs holding door mats bearing the message "Welcome homes" - a clear indication of the project's ultimate goal of creating welcoming, permanent housing solutions for Edmonton residents struggling with affordability.
Addressing Edmonton's Housing Crisis
This initiative represents one of the most substantial municipal efforts in recent years to combat Edmonton's growing housing affordability challenges. The conversion of underutilized school properties into housing units demonstrates innovative thinking in municipal land use planning.
The partnership between municipal and provincial levels of government underscores the coordinated approach necessary to tackle housing shortages effectively. By working together, both governments aim to maximize the impact of these property conversions and ensure they serve communities most in need.
What Comes Next for the Project
While specific details about the selected housing providers and construction timelines weren't fully disclosed in the initial announcement, the identification of partners represents a critical milestone. The project now moves from the planning phase toward actual implementation.
The transformation of these ten sites is expected to create hundreds of new affordable housing units across Edmonton neighborhoods. This approach not only addresses housing needs but also repurposes existing infrastructure, reducing urban sprawl and making efficient use of previously developed land.
Community members and housing advocates have expressed optimism about the project's potential to make meaningful progress toward solving Edmonton's affordability challenges while revitalizing neighborhoods through strategic property redevelopment.
