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Problem Property Initiative News | |
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Mar. 2025
Issue #3
Archive
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Tracking the impact
For years, concerned Edmontonians called for stronger measures to deal with problem properties. That’s why, in January 2023, the City of Edmonton launched the Problem Property Initiative (PPI), with dedicated teams to clean up neglected properties, secure or demolish unsafe buildings, and uphold housing standards at high-risk residential properties.
The PPI has has gained the attention of municipalities across Canada, many of which have reached out for information about Edmonton's increasingly impactful, multi-agency approach to problem properties.
This edition of our newsletter provides details and data that illustrate how the PPI's teams are making a difference in neighbourhoods across Edmonton.
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The Residential Inspection Safety Compliance Team (RISC) - upholding minimum housing standards
RISC is a multi-agency team with members from several City branches, the Edmonton Police Service, Alberta Health Services, and the Government of Alberta.
RISC provides a coordinated, wrap-around approach to complex residential living situations involving vulnerable individuals, families and places. The team uses education and enforcement to achieve compliance with minimum housing standards, support vulnerable tenants, and reduce impacts in the surrounding community.
The numbers: RISC inspects approximately 200 unique properties a year. Between January 2023 and December 2024, RISC conducted 3,716 inspections* at 326 different properties. The team issued 972 warnings, 439 enforcement orders, and 166 tickets.
In 2024, 156 vulnerable individuals and/or families living at problem properties were connected to 130 different resources, and 81 individuals (including 37 children) were re-housed from problem properties that were no longer livable.
*Note: Each team member’s participation is counted as an inspection. For example, if five agencies attend the same inspection, that is counted as five inspections.
| | A RISC team inspection at a residential apartment building. | The interior of residence inspected by RISC. | An improvised shelter that was dug out below a river valley high rise and subsequently secured by the RISC Team. | |
The Community Property Safety Team (CPST) - reducing fire risk in neighbourhoods
CPST is a team of Fire Prevention Officers that secure - and hold property owners accountable for - unsecured vacant buildings that pose a fire risk to the surrounding community.
If owners do not comply with an order issued by CPST to secure a property, the team will carry out the work itself. Following an escalating model of enforcement, this work can include robust board-ups, fencing, and up to 24/7 security patrols. All costs related to this work are charged to the property owner.
The numbers: Between April 2022 and December 2024, CPST inspected 927 properties that were known or suspected to be unsecured and vacant. The team issued 437 enforcement orders and secured 376 properties. 311 (33%) of the inspected properties were subsequently demolished by their owners. In 2023, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services reported that CPST's work contributed to an estimated 31% decrease in structure fires in vulnerable neighborhoods.
| | Vacant residential properties secured by CPST. | A Fire Prevention Officer inspecting a vacant commercial property previously secured by CPST. | |
The Problem Properties Team (PPT) - cleaning up and boosting neighbourhood vibrancy
PPT is a team of Municipal Enforcement Officers that address the external, physical conditions at seriously neglected private properties, some of which present public safety hazards.
If a property owner does not comply with an order issued by PPT to remediate a neglected property, the team can coordinate the work itself. This can include cleaning up entire lots and demolishing buildings that have been assessed as unsafe. All costs related to this work are billed to the problem property owner.
While working city-wide, PPT has an enhanced, data-driven focus on the most-affected neighbourhoods. In 2023 and 2024, PPT was dedicated to eight north side core neighbourhoods. In 2025, the team is focusing on 15 neighbourhoods, including five on the south side.
The numbers: PPT inspects approximately 400 unique properties a year. Between January 2023 and December 2024, PPT conducted 5,462 inspections at 576 different properties. The team issued 869 enforcement orders (including 17 demolition orders) and 1,089 tickets. PPT also coordinated 357 property cleanups and eight demolitions, removing 1.55 million pounds of debris and hazardous waste from Edmonton neighbourhoods.
| | Before and after images of a clean up coordinated by PPT. | Before and after images of a derelict garage demolished by PPT. | |
The Mature Area Derelict Residential Tax Subclass - an innovative approach to derelict properties
In 2023, Edmonton became the first city in Canada to make a new tax subclass for derelict properties as part of a larger effort to combat problem properties and encourage community vibrancy.
Designed to encourage owners to improve or demolish their properties, the Mature Area Derelict Residential Tax Subclass allows the City to triple the tax rate for owners of properties in mature neighbourhoods that show serious signs of neglect, are dilapidated, are falling into significant disrepair, or are unlivable. If a property that has been assessed as derelict is fixed or demolished partway through the year, the owner is refunded the difference between the regular and higher rates for the portion of the year after the property is remediated.
The numbers: For the 2024 tax year, 202 properties were identified as fitting into the subclass. Of those properties, 54 were subsequently demolished, 8 were remediated, and 48 were sold. The subclass also generated revenue to help offset the costs of otherwise dealing with derelict properties. For the 2025 tax year, 239 properties were identified as fitting into the subclass.
| | Examples of properties included in the Mature Area Derelict Residential Tax Subclass | | |
A residential property that was redeveloped after being cleaned up by the PPI. | A residential property that was demolished and redeveloped following PPI interventions and inclusion in the Mature Area Derelict Residential Tax Subclass | |
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Creating space for new development
The City’s focus on cleaning up and demolishing problem properties is helping to ensure that neighbourhoods continue to be desirable places to live.
Cleanups and demolitions coordinated directly by the PPI help to create the conditions required for the redevelopment of neglected, unsafe and underused properties, particularly in mature neighbourhoods.
Furthermore, tickets and orders issued by PPI officers, along with the higher tax rate for derelict properties, are making it increasingly costly for owners to neglect their properties. As a result, a significant number of problem properties are being demolished by their owners.
The numbers: Following interventions by the PPI, 379 properties were demolished by their owners. As of January 2025, 227 of those demolished properties had been redeveloped or have submitted applications for development permits.
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Communication and Engagement - building awareness and strengthening relationships
The PPI is committed to building awareness of its work and strengthening relationships with community members affected by problem properties.
The numbers: Between January 2023 and December 2024, the PPI participated in 73 meetings with interested parties and communicated and/or engaged with 133 groups and 7,293 individuals. The initiative also published or was featured in 56 news articles or blogs, received approximately 150,000 social media views, and had 22,000 visits to its web page.
| | Images from PPI community meetings. | | | | |
