Edmonton's religious institutions are undergoing a remarkable transformation, shifting from seeking converts to becoming key players in addressing the city's pressing housing shortage. As congregations dwindle and maintenance costs rise, churches, mosques, synagogues and temples are exploring innovative ways to repurpose their valuable urban land.
The Perfect Storm Driving Change
A convergence of factors is creating what experts describe as a perfect storm for faith-based redevelopment. Attendance at traditional worship services continues to decline across Edmonton, leaving many religious buildings underutilized. Meanwhile, these institutions often benefit from preferred tax status or complete property tax exemptions, yet still struggle with aging infrastructure and empty parking lots.
According to research presented at a recent symposium, faith communities represent the second largest landholders in Canada. A study examining 476 Edmonton faith buildings revealed that 144 of them are currently operating in deficit positions, highlighting the financial pressures facing these institutions.
Community-Centered Solutions Emerge
The charity Releven, which focuses on repurposing underused faith buildings, hosted a symposium in Edmonton to address these challenges. Dr. Mike Wood Daly, Releven's director of research, emphasized that their foundation aims to keep these lands public and charitable while finding new purposes for them.
Instead of simply selling to developers who might demolish existing structures, Releven advocates for transforming these properties into mixed-use spaces that include affordable housing while maintaining community gathering areas. The organization points to successful examples like a church in St. Boniface, Manitoba, that now hosts night markets serving the local Vietnamese population.
Timing Aligns with City Housing Needs
This movement comes at a critical time for Edmonton, where city officials are actively seeking locations for dense, urban affordable housing projects. The push for more infill development in established neighborhoods has faced opposition from some residents, making faith properties particularly attractive alternatives.
Earlier this year, Edmonton City Council debated measures to control infill development, including a proposal to cap mid-block projects at six units that was defeated by a single vote. This political context makes the potential of faith-based development even more significant for addressing housing needs without triggering neighborhood opposition.
The transformation of religious properties represents more than just a real estate trend—it offers a pathway to preserve community assets while solving pressing urban challenges. As Dr. Wood Daly noted, faith-based development is pretty sexy right now, reflecting the growing recognition of its potential to create sustainable, community-focused solutions to Edmonton's housing crisis.
