Our application to the Housing Accelerator Fund was denied. Although we are disappointed that our application was denied, this will not change our plans to push our Housing Action Plan forward.

Canmore has unique housing needs, that cannot be looked at with one-size fits all solutions. The Housing Accelerator Fund was prioritizing communities that removed exclusionary zoning (single family housing). Our infrastructure may not be able to support this across the entire town, potentially leading to very expensive upgrades. We allow density in many areas already (South Canmore as an example), which may be a part of the solution, but it currently leads to more luxury homes that are out of reach of many. Before applying a one-size fits all solution, we need to make sure we have the tools in place to ensure that many types of housing are built in our community.

“If we got the Housing Accelerator Fund, that would have been icing on the cake, but we’re still going to be baking cake. We’re moving ahead, it’s not contingent on Housing Accelerator Fund money. I have reached out to both Minister McIver and Minister Nixon, inviting them to Canmore to discuss our housing issues and everything this Council is doing to address the issue.”

Mayor Sean Krausert

Learn more about what we are doing here.