The way Calgary plans the building of communities could soon fundamentally change.
On Thursday, the city’s Intergovernmental Affairs Committee will look at putting affordable housing in every new community, part of a larger effort to solve Calgary’s need to house low-income families. In the past, the provincial government has been largely responsible but Ald. Joe Ceci would like to see the city take over.
“The main issue here is that many people look to our municipality for affordable housing, but we don’t have the legislated responsibility to do so,” he said.
“I would like to see affordable housing at the forefront of everybody’s mind when communities get planned.”
According to a city administration report, there are over 71,500 low-income renters and owners that need affordable housing, yet there are only 13,600 subsidized rental units in the city.
