Calgary’s mayor says he remains optimistic that federal housing dollars will continue to flow to the city, even as council considers repealing its blanket rezoning policy, a move some fear could jeopardize millions in federal support.
Speaking Monday, Mayor Jeromy Farkas said he is taking the federal government “at their word” that Calgary’s progress on housing supply will keep the city in good standing with the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF).
“The exception to Calgary is that we’re delivering the results,” he said, noting that Ottawa has repeatedly highlighted Calgary as a national leader in meeting housing targets.
City administration has warned that undoing blanket rezoning, a key component of Calgary’s HAF agreement, could be interpreted by the federal government as reneging on commitments. The agreement defines both “targets” and “initiatives” as binding, and reversing them could put funding at risk.
“There is a very high likelihood that many of the pre-existing funding streams are going to be amalgamated into the new Build Canada Strong fund,” Farkas said, adding that conversations with federal officials suggest the consequences of a repeal may not be as severe as some fear.
Calgary has already achieved 136 per cent of its overall housing supply target under the HAF.
Despite that strong performance, city administration cautioned in a recent statement that “Housing Accelerator Funding, as well as other streams of federal funding programs, may be at risk in the context of potential changes to our zoning policy.”
The issue is expected to be discussed further at Wednesday’s Infrastructure and Planning Committee meeting.
Farkas said Prime Minister Mark Carney has personally acknowledged Calgary’s success in accelerating housing development.
“I think it bodes well,” the mayor said.
New non-market housing announced
Farkas’ comments come as the city unveils 128 new non-market homes created through Calgary’s first Downtown Non-Market Office Conversion Grant, a program funded through the HAF.
The $10.3‑million investment will support two major office-to-housing conversions:
- HomeSpace Society – 1000 8 Ave SW – $4.1M grant, $27.5M total cost – 65 units
- Trellis Society for Community Impact (with Bluevale Capital Group) – 441 5 Ave SW – $6.2M grant, $27.8M total cost – 63 units
Together, the projects will convert nearly 100,000 square feet of vacant downtown office space into much‑needed affordable housing.