$28M Announced For Housing Projects In Canmore, Banff And Lake Louise

Three Bow Valley housing projects will receive nearly $28 million in federal and provincial funding, led by a $20.2-million investment in YWCA Banff's Higher Ground development in Canmore.

The funding is part of a $323-million federal-provincial housing announcement supporting 41 projects across Alberta.

The grant will support the first phase of YWCA Banff's Higher Ground project. YWCA Banff is a local non-profit that provides housing, shelter and crisis supports for people experiencing housing insecurity, domestic violence and sexual violence across the Bow Valley.

The Higher Ground development will include affordable housing, supportive housing, emergency shelter space and community services. The initial phase is expected to include 120 housing units and commercial and community space as part of a broader vision that could eventually deliver between 250 and 350 housing units and shelter spaces in Canmore.

The investment comes as the organization reports growing demand for its services. According to YWCA Banff's 2024-25 impact report, staff responded to 962 calls on its 24-hour crisis line during the past fiscal year, including 472 related to housing insecurity and 246 related to domestic or sexual violence.

The organization also provided 4,022 shelter and transitional housing nights to 230 people experiencing housing insecurity, domestic violence, sexual violence or a combination of those challenges. The report notes many of its shelter and housing programs have remained at capacity for years, while crisis-line calls increased significantly over the past year.

Ebony Rempel, CEO of YWCA Banff, said Phase 1 is expected to cost about $84 million and that the organization still has significant fundraising ahead.

The project has already received significant support from the Town of Canmore, including a $10-million funding commitment and town-owned land. Council has also signalled support for waiving development and building permit fees.

Rempel said government grants and community donations will be critical to completing the project and expanding the organization's ability to provide housing and support services.

"The more grant funding that we can get and the more donations that we can drive towards this project, the more we can do that work and serve those who need these programs and services better," she said.

The announcement also included funding for housing projects in Banff and Lake Louise.

The Town of Banff received $6.43 million for its 50 Wolf Street housing development, a project already under construction that will deliver 75 below-market rental homes and 15 permanently below-market ownership units for people eligible to live in Banff. According to town officials, the provincial contribution forms part of the project's financing package and helps reduce the amount of debt needed to complete the development.

In Lake Louise, the Improvement District No. 9 received $1.6 million for the Lake Louise Multi-Unit Residence, a 12-unit housing development identified in the provincial announcement as the Lake Louise Multifamily Housing Project.

Unlike the projects in Banff and Canmore, the Lake Louise development is not intended as public affordable housing. Instead, the units will be reserved for workers who provide essential municipal services, including firefighters, recreation staff and health-care workers.

"Every piece of residential property is owned by a specific employer," said Danielle Duffy, chief administrative officer of Improvement District No. 9, noting Lake Louise operates under a unique employer-based housing system with no public housing market.

Duffy said the project is intended to help recruit and retain firefighters, health-care workers and other employees who provide critical services in the community. Many currently rely on housing provided through a spouse's employer, commercial operators or commutes from outside Lake Louise, she said.

The development will include eight one-bedroom units and four two-bedroom units and will be built alongside a new fire hall at 100 Hector Road. The housing component is expected to cost roughly $7 million as part of a larger fire hall and housing project now estimated at approximately $26 million. Construction is expected to begin later this year, with occupancy targeted for 2028.