Canmore’s Affordability Programs Saw a 115% Spike in Demand Last Year

Canmore’s main cost-of-living support program has seen a significant rise in demand over the last year, with new data showing notable growth among lower and modest-income households seeking help to manage basic expenses. According to the latest municipal livability update, the Affordable Services Program recorded a 14 percent increase in Tier 1 approved households and a 115 percent increase in Tier 2 approvals between late 2023 and early 2025.

Tier 1 supports households at the lowest income levels, including individuals earning up to $39,293 and families of four earning up to $90,489. Tier 2 serves those with slightly higher but still constrained incomes, from $58,041 for individuals to $105,634 for a family of four. Together, the two tiers now support 650 households, a reflection of how rising housing costs, childcare expenses, and transportation challenges continue to affect residents across the community.

The program has also expanded its reach through partnerships. Twenty six local businesses and non profits now provide discounts to participants, supplementing the benefits offered directly by the Town of Canmore.

A Growing Need for Food Access

The rise in applications for financial supports has been accompanied by increasing demand for immediate food access. This spring, Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) convened the Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley, the Bow Valley Food Bank, and the Bow Valley Food Alliance to address growing concerns about food insecurity.

The result was the launch of the Community Food Cupboard, a free and anonymous resource that opened on May 26, 2025. The pilot was operated out of the Canmore Community Housing office and designed to provide shelf stable food to anyone in need.

Throughout the pilot period, the cupboard recorded 527 visits and distributed more than 7,200 food items. Users included a broad cross section of residents, from families and seniors to people who were precariously housed or facing temporary financial hardship.

The service also became a point of contact for additional supports. In-person outreach services offered at the same location assisted 62 clients with needs such as shower passes, bus tickets to access shelters in Calgary, and general system navigation.

Wider Economic Pressures Driving Demand

Local affordability indicators suggest that these programs are absorbing pressures created by broader trends in housing and living costs. Advertised rental rates for one bedroom units in Canmore rose from an average of $1,971 in 2022 to $2,171 in 2024. Even with new non market housing projects underway, demand for secure and affordable rental options remains far higher than available supply.

Other data points highlight how affordability challenges shape household finances. The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program completed 371 tax returns for residents with modest incomes, generating nearly $1.93 million in refunds and benefits such as the Guaranteed Income Supplement, Alberta Seniors Benefit, GST rebates, and the Child Tax Benefit.

These savings help stabilize household budgets, but municipal staff noted that the volume of need continues to grow across multiple programs.

Food Cupboard Expected to Continue After Pilot Success

Given the popularity and rapid growth of the Community Food Cupboard pilot, the partner organizations have agreed that the service will continue beyond its initial phase. As staff explained during the update, the cupboard has been temporarily relocated to the FCSS office while a more permanent long term home is found.

A Broader Picture of Need

The combined increases in affordability program usage, food support demand, and outreach engagement point to a community experiencing sustained cost of living pressure. While the Town of Canmore continues to advance non market housing projects and programs aimed at stabilizing rental costs, current indicators show that many households still require day to day assistance to manage basic needs.

Municipal staff emphasized that the growth in demand cannot be attributed to a single cause. Instead, it reflects a combination of rising costs, limited housing availability, and broader economic conditions affecting families, seniors, and workers. As both the Affordable Services Program and the Community Food Cupboard prepare for another year, the town and its nonprofit partners expect these programs to remain essential for a growing number of residents.