Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)
Alberta is starting the year strong, leading Canada with the highest number of housing starts in the country from January-March 2025, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Despite making up less than 13 per cent of Canada’s population, Alberta built more than 25 per cent of all housing starts in the country so far this year. The latest data released by CMHC reinforces that Alberta continues to show strong success in increasing its housing supply after a record-breaking 2024, which will help make housing more attainable for Albertans across the province.
Alberta’s government recognizes the need to build more homes as the population continues to grow. That’s why the province has been working to break down barriers and empower its housing partners to get more shovels in the ground faster, and the numbers are clear evidence that Alberta’s efforts are working. Despite Ontario and B.C. receiving far more federal housing dollars than Alberta, their housing starts are down 38 per cent and 30 per cent compared to last year, while Alberta’s housing starts are up by 18 per cent.
“Our government is working tirelessly to make the dream of home ownership a reality for Albertans. We are clearing the way for more homes to be built faster to help Albertans find housing that meets their needs and budgets. After a record-breaking 2024, today’s housing starts numbers are just more proof that Alberta’s plan to build homes is working.”
Alberta’s government continues to support builders and encourage new residential housing construction by cutting red tape, incentivizing housing construction and supporting innovative strategies to build homes faster than ever. By taking action to help increase the housing supply, Alberta’s government is driving down costs and helping address the shortage of housing as more people call Alberta home.
Last fall, Alberta’s government launched the Stop Housing Delays online portal for developers and local authorities to help identify areas that are preventing fast and efficient residential construction. This portal serves as a ‘snitch line’ on red tape and will help the province identify and address barriers to housing construction, like municipal gatekeepers, so that Alberta can get homes built as quickly as possible.
To address homebuilding hurdles, Alberta’s government has updated the provincial building code and established a construction codes working group in November. The province is also attracting investment by ensuring that Alberta continues to have the lowest overall taxes in Canada, with no provincial sales tax and the lowest corporate tax rate.
“An 18 per cent increase in housing starts in the first quarter of 2025 shows that Alberta’s builders and developers continue to respond to the growing demand for housing. As an industry, we remain committed to working closely with the Government of Alberta to identify barriers and unlock housing opportunities that will enable us to deliver more homes for Albertans.”
Quick facts
- Housing starts for January – March 2025 compared with January – March 2024
- provincewide: 11,470 compared with 9,744 (up 18 per cent)
- Calgary: 6,271 compared with 5,385 (up 16 per cent)
- Edmonton: 4,095 compared with 3,487 (up 17 per cent)
- In addition, through Budget 2025, Alberta’s government is investing $1.2 billion into affordable housing over the next three years, which supports the construction of more than 6,300 new affordable housing units.
- Since 2019, Alberta’s government has invested almost $851 million to build nearly 5,300 affordable housing units and close to 900 shelter spaces. This includes projects the government has committed to, that are in progress and that are complete.
- Together with its partners, Alberta’s government is supporting $9 billion in investments into affordable housing to support 25,000 additional low-income households by 2031.
Related information
- See the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s March Housing Starts Report.