Prince Albert officials are developing a housing strategy aimed at addressing a significant shortage of affordable housing in the city.
A housing needs assessment presented to the city’s executive committee on Monday found Prince Albert currently has a shortfall of 1,470 affordable housing units. The report also projects that an additional 1,097 housing units will be needed over the next 10 years to meet future demand.
The assessment was completed by Wallace Insights and presented to the council in March 2025. City administration is now working on a Housing Strategy and Implementation Plan intended to guide how the city will respond to those findings.
Prince Albert has already taken steps to encourage additional housing development. In 2025, city council approved a zoning bylaw amendment allowing up to four housing units to be built on a single residential lot in most residential zones without requiring discretionary approval. The change was introduced partly to support increased housing supply as the city looks for ways to address housing shortages.
Micheal Nelson, acting director of community development, said the housing strategy will build on the findings of the needs assessment and outline how the city plans to respond.
“The city of Prince Albert completed a housing needs assessment, which was presented to council in March of 2025. The housing needs identified the community’s most significant housing challenges, including a current shortfall of 1,470 affordable housing units,” Nelson told committee members.
Nelson said the upcoming strategy will focus on increasing housing supply while supporting the creation of transitional, supportive, and affordable housing options. The plan will also look at ways to leverage partnerships and government funding to support development.
The strategy is expected to function as a business and implementation plan rather than a high-level policy document.
“This plan will focus on practical steps to increase housing supply, including supporting new unit creation and leveraging additional available government funding and partnerships,” Nelson said.
The housing strategy is expected to be completed by the end of June 2026 and will be presented to the city council once finalized.
Funding for the strategy comes from the final year of the federal Building Safer Communities Fund through Public Safety Canada. The program is intended to help municipalities address issues such as gun and gang violence. According to the report, improving access to basic needs such as housing can play a role in reducing gang activity.
During the discussion, Coun. Blake Edwards said he has been hearing from people interested in investing in housing in Prince Albert and asked about the availability of residential lots.
Nelson said there is currently a pending offer on lots on Crescent Acres that will come before council for consideration at a future meeting.
Edwards said interest in development reflects growing optimism about the city’s future.
“People are excited. We’re hearing talk of investment coming into our city. We see the hospital expansion, and we’ve got a city that is going to be a desired place to live,” Edwards said.
City officials said developers or residents interested in housing projects can contact the city’s Solutions Hub, which helps guide investors through the development process.
The executive committee voted to receive the housing strategy report as information.
