Fact Check: Calgary needs 42,000 new dwellings annually to meet housing demand.

Fact Check: "Calgary needs 42,000 new dwellings annually to meet housing demand."

What We Know

Calgary is currently facing a significant housing shortage, with estimates indicating a need for 42,000 new housing units by the end of 2025. This figure was presented by Reid Hendry, Calgary's chief housing officer, during a report to the Community Development Committee. Despite record-breaking construction efforts, including over 25,000 building permits for market housing approved in 2024, the demand continues to outstrip supply, leading to a widening housing deficit (source-1, source-2).

The city's Home is Here housing strategy, launched in 2023, aims to address this crisis through 98 recommendations focused on increasing both market and non-market housing. However, as of 2025, the shortfall remains substantial, largely due to high population growth and rising demand (source-1, source-2).

Analysis

The claim that Calgary needs 42,000 new dwellings annually is supported by multiple credible sources. The information comes directly from city officials, specifically Reid Hendry, who has detailed the ongoing housing crisis and the inadequacy of current construction efforts to meet the growing demand (source-1, source-2).

The Home is Here strategy has been recognized as a proactive approach to tackle the housing shortage, yet the current pace of construction is insufficient to close the gap. In 2024, Calgary's housing starts were impressive, accounting for 55% of all new homes built in Alberta, but this still falls short of the necessary units to meet demand (source-1, source-2).

The sources used in this analysis are reliable, coming from local news outlets and official city reports, which provide a comprehensive overview of the housing situation in Calgary. The credibility of the information is bolstered by the involvement of city officials and the structured approach of the housing strategy.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Calgary needs 42,000 new dwellings annually to meet housing demand is accurate based on the evidence provided by city officials and reports. Despite significant construction efforts, the ongoing shortfall highlights the challenges posed by rapid population growth and the need for a more robust housing strategy to address affordability and availability.

Fact Check: Calgary needs 42,000 new dwellings annually to meet housing demand.