Summary#
The Executive Committee carried Councillor Pantazopoulos’s revised notice of motion 11 to 2 on November 3, 2026, and forwarded it to Council for consideration on November 17. This is a committee recommendation, not approval of the proposed Housing Asset Redevelopment Program (HARP). The notice’s goal is to find ways to redevelop publicly owned housing sites and support more market and non-market housing.
- If Council approves the notice, City staff would evaluate publicly owned housing sites and identify possible redevelopment opportunities, in consultation with named partners including Calgary Housing and Attainable Homes Calgary.
- Staff would assess possible funding approaches, including grants, loans, municipal debt, land contributions and partnerships with private or non-profit organizations.
- Staff would also examine incremental property-tax funding and the possible use of a Community Revitalization Levy or another structure under the Municipal Government Act. Provincial tax revenue would depend on provincial agreement.
- Staff would report to the Community Development Committee by the second quarter of 2027 with recommendations, resource needs, financial considerations and next steps for establishing HARP. Any material financial commitments would return to Council for approval.
What it means for you#
- Residents and taxpayers: The committee’s decision does not approve a redevelopment, new tax, levy, borrowing or housing program. It only sends the notice to Council for consideration.
- City staff and housing organizations: If Council approves it, staff would assess sites and funding options and engage with partners, while respecting the authority of applicable governing boards.
- Housing providers and potential development partners: The proposed work could identify roles for public, private and non-profit partners, but the notice does not select sites or approve projects.
Money#
No cost estimate is provided for the proposed work or program.
- If Council approves the notice, staff would have to assess resource requirements, financing options, debt and cash-flow implications.
- The notice lists possible funding sources, but does not approve or commit any of them. It says any material financial commitments would return to Council.
What is unclear#
- Whether Council will approve the notice; its next step is consideration at the November 17 meeting.
- Which sites, if any, staff would prioritize, and what criteria would determine eligibility.
- How much staff time or funding the assessment and engagement would require.
- Whether the Province would agree to take part, or whether any tax-supported funding model would be legally and financially feasible.
- What affordability requirements, ownership arrangements or project rules a future HARP would have.
Case for#
- The notice says some publicly owned housing assets are aging or underused and may need major maintenance or renewal. Assessing redevelopment options could help make better use of those sites.
- The notice argues that redevelopment near transit, services and existing infrastructure could support more housing and strengthen established communities.
- Examining funding options before committing to projects could help Council understand the financial risks, partners and resources involved.
Case against#
- A possible concern is that the notice considers using public land and future property-tax revenue for redevelopment without yet setting affordability rules, site-selection criteria or ownership arrangements.
- The listed options include municipal debt and other financing. Their costs, risks and effects on City plans are not yet known.
- Councillors Wyness and Johnston voted against forwarding the notice. The available minutes do not give their reasons.