City Council received an update at their regular meeting today on federal housing funding programs, including current agreements, progress to date, and how these investments are intended to support affordable and attainable housing in Red Deer.
Following the update, Council voted 7–2 to direct Administration to request a meeting with the Federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure to discuss the conditions tied to the Housing Accelerator Fund Round 2 (HAF2) and how the funding can best be used to support housing in the community.
Council passed the following resolution:
WHEREAS increasing housing supply remains a critical priority in the City of Red Deer, and the City is capable of advancing its housing objectives through locally tailored, made-in-Red-Deer solutions;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Red Deer shall not return the grant funding received under the Housing Accelerator Fund Round 2 (HAF2) until a discussion has occurred with the Federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.
The discussion relates to a federal requirement that municipalities adopt “four units as-of-right” zoning to access the funding. City Council did not approve this requirement as it would have allowed up to four dwelling units on all residential properties as a blanket zoning approach across the community. Red Deer received the first instalment of the funding in 2025, with $3.1 million allocated but not yet spent.
While Council supports the goal of increasing housing supply and advancing affordable housing, it does not believe a one-size-fits-all zoning approach is the right fit for Red Deer.
“Affordable and attainable housing is a priority for our community, and Council is committed to increasing supply,” said Mayor Cindy Jefferies. “We are not necessarily saying no to four units where it makes sense; we are saying no to applying it as a blanket, one-size-fits-all zoning approach across the entire city. The housing targets we put forward in our federal application can be achieved in other ways, without four units as-of-right on every residential property. We are asking for a direct conversation with the federal government to explore how this funding can be used to support housing for our city in a way that is right for Red Deer."
Council has directed that the HAF2 funding be held and not spent until discussions with the federal government take place, with the goal of retaining the investment and applying it to housing solutions that are appropriate for Red Deer.
Council also emphasized the importance of continuing to work with community housing partners and all orders of government to advance affordable and attainable housing for residents.