The Upcoming Municipal Election in Calgary – Housing Matters

Without a doubt, the pandemic illuminated for us all the importance of home for everyone. Home to keep us safe, keep us healthy, and keep us moving forward against the odds.

We hope you’ll take some time to get informed on this issue and the others that matter to you, and cast your vote on October 18th for the candidates that you feel best reflect your values and the city you want to see for yourself and your neighbours.

At NHA, we think housing is always a primary election consideration. To help you investigate this topic with candidates as you see fit, we’ve put together a list of possible questions you might like to ask or consider:

1. What will be your strategy to improve housing affordability in our city?
2. How will you use your role on council to advance the City of Calgary corporate affordable housing strategy?
3. How will you use your role on council to help the city of Calgary leverage available funds for housing through the provincial and federal governments?
4. How will you ensure that the existing purpose-built affordable private and non-profit rental housing supply remains affordable and better serves the 20% of households that earn $36K or less in our city?
5. What will you do as a councillor to make life in Calgary more affordable for low wage households?
6. What planning and development tools will you use to advance improved housing affordability for Calgarians?
7. How will you enable non-profits to build and acquire more affordable housing in our city?
8. What will you do to tackle affordable housing NIMBY-ism in your ward and in the city?
9. Finding affordable housing is extremely difficult and cumbersome because of the many waitlists that exist and the lack of units available. How will you use your position on council to secure funding to improve access and streamline the process for Calgarians?
10. What policies are you proposing to streamline the development process for non-profits so that they can be more efficient at building and regenerating affordable housing?

Detailed information on where and how to vote can be found by visiting www.calgary.ca/election - you’ll also find detailed candidate info here.

Sprawl Alberta has loads of articles available with details on the upcoming elections including candidate information, assessing the pressing issues in Calgary (as they see them), and

Additionally, this CBC article has a lighter look into each Mayoral candidate, including their priorities if elected in under 280 characters.

Regardless of how you vote, we hope this arms you with the resources to make the best decision for yourself and your community. Get out there, ask questions of our elected officials, and vote for the city you want to see!