As Chestermere continues to grow and thrive, one of the most important issues facing our city is ensuring that housing remains affordable and accessible for all residents. Whether you’re a young professional, a growing family, or a senior looking to downsize, having access to affordable, high-quality housing is fundamental to a stable and thriving community.
During my time as mayor, I prioritized affordable housing as a key issue, understanding that a healthy community requires a variety of housing options that cater to people at all income levels. Affordable housing is not just a matter of providing a roof over one’s head; it’s about creating safe, welcoming communities where residents have access to the resources, opportunities, and stability they need to build successful lives.
In this blog post, I’ll explore the work we did to ensure affordable housing in Chestermere, the challenges we faced, and the innovative solutions we pursued to provide housing options that serve everyone in our growing community.
Understanding the Need for Affordable Housing in Chestermere
As Chestermere’s population grew, so did the demand for housing. The city became a desirable place to live due to its proximity to Calgary, its picturesque lake, and its family-friendly atmosphere. However, with increased demand came rising housing costs, making it more difficult for many residents to find affordable homes within their budget.
Affordable housing is generally defined as housing where residents pay no more than 30% of their income on housing costs, including rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and taxes. Unfortunately, for many Chestermere residents, this ideal was becoming increasingly out of reach. We saw a significant increase in home prices and rental costs, which posed a serious challenge for lower and middle-income families.
This was particularly concerning for younger families, seniors, and low-wage workers who found it increasingly difficult to keep up with rising housing costs. With the cost of living going up, many people were forced to move further away from Chestermere, losing access to the amenities and services our city offers. This, in turn, created more pressure on transportation infrastructure and increased commute times.
Collaborating with Developers and Community Partners
One of the key strategies I implemented to address the affordable housing crisis was to foster collaboration between the city, private developers, and nonprofit housing organizations. Chestermere is a city that has a lot of potential for development, and we sought to work with developers to ensure that a portion of new residential projects included affordable housing options.
We worked with developers to incorporate affordable housing units in both market-rate and mixed-use developments. This not only provided additional affordable options but also ensured that those living in affordable housing would have access to the same amenities and resources as residents in market-priced homes. Mixed-use developments, which include both residential units and commercial spaces, were a priority for us, as they created vibrant, walkable communities where people could live, work, and shop in close proximity.
In addition to working with private developers, we partnered with nonprofit organizations like Habitat for Humanity and local housing authorities to provide more affordable housing solutions. These organizations played a crucial role in building and maintaining affordable homes, and we supported them through grants and incentives. By creating these partnerships, we were able to significantly increase the number of affordable housing units in Chestermere.
Addressing the Needs of Vulnerable Populations
While the focus on affordable housing included meeting the needs of the general population, we also recognized that certain groups within the community—such as seniors, people with disabilities, and single parents—faced unique housing challenges. As the population of Chestermere grew older, there was a clear need for housing options that catered to the specific needs of seniors, including accessible, low-maintenance homes and supportive living arrangements.
To meet these needs, we advocated for the development of more senior-friendly housing in Chestermere. This included building age-friendly homes that incorporated features like no-step entrances, wider doorways, and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms. We also worked with developers to ensure that new senior housing developments included services like transportation, healthcare, and social support.
For families facing financial hardship, we supported the development of subsidized housing and rent-geared-to-income options. These units were designed to ensure that residents could live comfortably without spending an overwhelming portion of their income on housing costs. Through partnerships with local nonprofits, we were able to create a supportive network for individuals and families in need.
Incentivizing Affordable Housing Development
One of the most important tools we used to encourage the development of affordable housing in Chestermere was the creation of incentives for developers. Recognizing that developers are often driven by market forces and the potential for profit, we offered several financial incentives and support to encourage them to build affordable units.
These incentives included tax breaks, grants, and low-interest loans that made it more financially viable for developers to include affordable housing as part of their projects. We also streamlined the permitting and approval process for affordable housing developments, reducing bureaucracy and ensuring that projects could be completed in a timely manner.
By working collaboratively with developers and providing these incentives, we were able to increase the availability of affordable housing without significantly increasing the financial burden on taxpayers. It also created a situation where developers could still make a profit while contributing to the broader community by helping meet the housing needs of all residents.
Creating a Housing Strategy for the Future
While we made significant strides in addressing affordable housing during my time as mayor, the work is ongoing. Chestermere is a growing city, and with growth comes an increasing demand for housing. It’s essential that we continue to plan for the future and develop long-term strategies to ensure that affordable housing remains available to residents as the city grows.
We worked on creating a comprehensive housing strategy that focused not only on the immediate needs of residents but also on future housing demands. This strategy included developing land use plans that designated areas for affordable housing, ensuring that future developments included diverse housing options, and working with other municipalities to create a regional approach to housing.
We also continued to monitor housing affordability and take proactive measures to adjust policies as needed. This included implementing rent control measures and addressing housing shortages in key areas of the city, such as near public transportation routes and commercial centers.
Conclusion: Ensuring a Home for Everyone in Chestermere
Ensuring access to affordable housing in Chestermere was one of the most important initiatives of my time as mayor. Through collaborative efforts with developers, nonprofit organizations, and the community, we were able to provide more affordable housing options and create a more inclusive, diverse city where everyone, regardless of income, had a place to call home.
Affordable housing is not just a basic need—it is a cornerstone of a thriving community. By continuing to prioritize affordable housing, we ensure that Chestermere remains a city where people from all walks of life can live, work, and build their futures. As Chestermere grows, it is essential that we continue to invest in housing solutions that meet the needs of all our residents.
Let’s keep working together to ensure that Chestermere is a community where everyone, no matter their background or income level, has a safe, affordable place to call home.