‘1 in 5’ Calgarians are unable to afforded housing

by Aldin Avdic

On Sep. 6, 2023, the city of Calgary gave a press release about the affordability of housing within the city. Tim Ward, Manager of Housing Solutions stated in the press release "Calgary is facing a housing crisis.”

The Housing Needs Assessment says on their websites that at least “1 in 5 Calgarians” were unable to afford their housing costs in 2021, and that the number is expected to be larger in 2023. The Housing Needs Assessments reported that the ‘... median cost to buy a detached home has increased in price by 37% in the last three years.”

By 2026 about 100 000 households are expected to need affordable housing, based around Calgary's forecasted population growth and historical housing needs stated by the press release. Ward spoked about this saying, “...the housing crisis is affecting a wide range of Calgarians including those looking to buy or rent a home, and those that are in greatest need of affordable housing supports.”

For 2022, the press release stated that the average income needed to rent was $67 00, which has gone up to $84 000 for 2023.

The press releasee had said that people looking to buy their first detached home in 2023 would need on average to earn $150 000 to be able to afford it, and not spend more than 30% of income pre housing taxes.

In 2023, an average income of $70 800 is needed to afford an apartment for a first-time buyer.