'A housing crisis': 1 in 5 Calgary households couldn't afford costs, city says
![Calgary housing assessment A new report from the City of Calgary suggests one in five households are suffering from the high cost of housing.](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/9/6/calgary-housing-assessment-1-6549745-1694010532611.jpg)
The City of Calgary says new data on housing affordability suggests many households are on the brink.
The 2023 Housing Needs Assessment, released on Wednesday, reports that approximately 84,600 households – or one in five – couldn't afford their housing costs in 2021.
Given the current market conditions, the city says the situation could be much worse in 2023.
"The findings in the assessment also highlight that the housing crisis is affecting a wide range of Calgarians including those looking to buy or rent a home and those that are in the greatest need of affordable housing supports," said Calgary's manager of housing solutions Tim Ward in a statement.
Some of the other key findings in the assessment include:
- The median cost of a detached home has increased by 37 per cent in the past three years;
- To buy their first detached home, Calgarians would require an annual household income of $156,000;
- To buy an apartment, Calgarians would need to earn at least $70,800;
- Renters would need to earn at least $84,000 to afford average market rent; and
- Affordable housing needs are expected to reach close to 100,000 units by 2026.
"Calgary is experiencing a housing crisis," Ward said.
"The latest data published in the Housing Needs Assessment shows us that an increasing number of Calgarians are struggling with housing affordability."
The report is published every five years and utilizes data from the federal census, the City of Calgary's corporate economics department and the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation.
The city uses it as a guide when working with housing providers and other levels of government that help oversee housing developments.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6978604.1721996942!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Paris Olympics begin with unique opening ceremony along the Seine
The Paris Summer Olympics officially get underway today with a unique opening ceremony. Instead of marching into a stadium, representatives from more than 200 competing countries will enter the Games on boats along the River Seine.
BREAKING Canada Soccer head investigating 'systemic ethical shortcoming' amid spying scandal
The head of Canada Soccer said he is investigating a potential "systemic ethical shortcoming" as the organization deals with a drone-spying scandal at the Paris Olympics.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.
DEVELOPING Trudeau, with Australian and New Zealand PMs, pen letter renewing ceasefire calls for Gaza
Prime ministers of Canada, New Zealand and Australia released a letter renewing calls for an “urgent ceasefire” in Gaza on Friday morning.
Arson attacks paralyze French high-speed rail network hours before start of Olympics
Outgoing French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said that sabotage and arson that hit key parts of France's high speed rail network on the eve of the Olympics had 'a clear objective: blocking the high speed train network.'
Latest updates on wildfires in Jasper National Park: Rain, cooler weather limiting spread
Cool and wet weather is making a difference in Jasper National Park.
'He was just gone': Police ramp up search for vulnerable 3-year-old boy in Mississauga, Ont.
Police in Mississauga are conducting a full-scale search of the city’s biggest park for a non-verbal toddler who went missing Thursday evening. Sgt. Jennifer Trimble told reporters Friday morning that there has been no trace of three-year-old Zaid Abdullah since 6:20 p.m., when he was last seen with his parents in Erindale Park, near Dundas Street West and Mississauga Road.
Sunken treasure: Is the champagne nestled in a 19th-century shipwreck still fit for a toast?
A team of Polish divers has discovered the wreckage of an old sailing ship loaded “to the brim” with luxury goods including porcelain items and about 100 bottles of Champagne and mineral water about 58 meters (190 feet) deep off the Swedish coast.
opinion 'Deadpool and Wolverine' review: A love letter to a bygone era
'Deadpool and Wolverine' is a showcase for the bromance stylings of its stars, who pull out all the stops to cap Fox's Marvel movies.