Here we grow: City of Edmonton surpasses 2023 housing starts and building permits

October 16, 2024

September data confirms that Edmonton has surpassed 2023 figures for housing starts and residential building permits, and is on track to beat the all-time record set in 2015.

Through the first nine months of 2024, housing starts are up more than 48 per cent and the number of residential units with approved building permits is up 62 per cent over the same period in 2023. 

“Edmonton is exceeding expectations when it comes to new housing construction per capita,” said Kim Petrin, Deputy City Manager, Urban Planning and Economy. “With just over 2.5 per cent of the national population, we account for six per cent of housing starts in Canada so far in 2024. This is in large part to our building and development industry partners and City staff, who are working hard to keep up with growing demand.” 

Edmonton is also seeing a significant shift in the variety of housing types. Apartments, row houses, mixed-use houses, secondary suites and backyard houses account for 68 per cent of the City’s total permitted residential units in 2024. This is up approximately 21 per cent compared to a decade ago.

“To meet the growing demand for housing, we need to increase not only the supply, but also the diversity of options. That’s why it’s exciting to see more secondary suites and backyard homes, which account for 24 per cent of residential building permits issued through the first nine months of the year,” said Christel Kjenner, Director of the Housing Action Team. “This type of housing has many benefits, from rental income to intergenerational living, and provides homeowners and renters more choice.” 

Key Facts

Housing starts, City of Edmonton

• September 2024: 1,116
• January to September 2024: 10,004
• 2023 Total: 9,665
• Record Total (2015): 13,311
• (Source: CMHC)

Net Residential Units With Approved Building Permits, City of Edmonton

• September 2024: 1,002
• January to September 2024: 10,799
• 2023 Total: 9,880
• Record Total (2015): 12,871
• (Source: City of Edmonton)

Net Residential Units With Approved Building Permits by Dwelling Type

Building permit approvals and an increasing diversity of housing types are key contributors to achieving the targets set out in the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) action plan. 

Housing Accelerator Fund 

The City will receive $175 million from the federal government between 2024 and 2026 if it meets its housing supply target.

As of October 2024, the City is 31 per cent through its Housing Accelerator Fund contract and on track to reach its overall housing supply target. The City has issued building permits for 12,552 units since November 2023 with a target of 35,443 units (35 per cent).

The City helps accelerate housing by streamlining and simplifying processes for obtaining permits, licences and inspections. Service improvements implemented since 2018 are estimated to save planning and development customers an estimated $5.3 million and 67,600 days annually. Recent initiatives include:

• Affordable Housing Permit Processing. Development permit applications for non-market affordable housing are now prioritized for review and, when eligible, receive enhanced permitting services through Edmonton’s Client Liaison Unit.
• Professional Engineer Approvals for Plumbing and Gas Inspections. To maintain inspection service levels during this record year, the City now accepts a letter from a professional engineer as proof of compliance for plumbing groundwork on single- and semi-detached homes, when accompanied by the necessary supporting documentation.
• Auto Review for House Development Permits. Edmonton is the first Canadian city to automate approvals for housing development permits, which allows a builder to apply for a development permit and put a shovel in the ground on the same day.

For more information:

edmonton.ca/HousingAcceleratorFund

edmonton.ca/AffordableHousing

Media contact:

Nicole Thomas

Senior Communications Advisor

Community Services

780-220-3328 

Scott Campbell

Communications Advisor

Urban Planning and Economy

780-818-3560