Our downtown is providing housing options to people with new residential buildings, helping us attract more people to live downtown while meeting the needs of our growing city.
Increasing residential growth in our downtown creates economic benefits for the neighbourhood. More people means more opportunities for businesses, infrastructure and post-secondary institutions that are key to our downtown’s economy. When more people call the core home, the area becomes a 24/7 neighbourhood. Here is why that shift matters:
- Economic resilience: It supports local shops, cafes and services with increased foot traffic.
- Enhanced safety and vibrancy: More pedestrian activity makes streets and open spaces busier.
- Infrastructure efficiency: Using existing roads, transit and utility lines is more tax-efficient than building new infrastructure.
- Sustainability: High-density living encourages walking, biking and transit use, lowering the city’s carbon footprint.
- Reputation: Efforts to enhance the core will attract more investment and development opportunities
The $30-million Attainable Housing Incentive, funded by the Downtown Community Revitalization Levy, will accelerate rental housing and reduce the number of vacant lots. Homes created through this funding will be attainable, meaning that they will have rental rates that must stay below a certain threshold for 10 years.
Successful projects will receive annual payments equivalent to 25 per cent to 100 per cent of the uplift in property taxes for 10 years.
How to Apply
Starting March 31, applicants must submit their completed applications to urbanrenewal@edmonton.ca.
Read more in the Attainable Housing Incentive Program Guide.
Successful applicants will receive a conditional grant approval letter following the review of their application. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received. Please note that funding is not guaranteed until an agreement has been executed.
The City’s 2021 Edmonton Economic Incentive Construction Grant was created to incentivize and stimulate high-impact private construction projects in the Centre City area. The Program incentivized nine projects worth $522 million in construction. For every dollar the City funded, private investment contributed $23. The City allocated $22.9 million for this grant program, but the total amount used will not be known until the program ends in 2026; it is on track to come in under budget.
Program Information
Contact Us
Email urbanrenewal@edmonton.ca