Affordable Living

Affordable Living | Proudly Growing Strathmore’s Future – Together

At the beginning of each term, Council sets the course for the future by adopting a Strategic Plan—a guiding blueprint that charts priorities and directs resources. This plan outlines six key strategic priorities that influence decision-making throughout the term. In the coming weeks, Mayor Pat Fule will provide insights into each of Strathmore’s strategic priorities, reflecting on both achievements and challenges along the way.

Across the country, Canadians are experiencing a renewed sense of pride – in our country and the places we call home. Whether it’s our resilience through tough times, our commitment to one another or our shared belief that hard work creates opportunity, we are reminded of what makes Canada a special place. We protect what we’ve built, and we welcome those who share our values and want to contribute to our future.

Strathmore has always been a place to build a good life. Families raise their kids here, neighbours look out for each other, and we all take pride in our town’s strong community spirit. That sense of belonging—along with our parks, schools, and local businesses—makes Strathmore a great place to call home.

More and more people are seeing what we’ve known for years. Our province is growing—fast. Over the past year alone, Alberta’s population increased by more than 4.1 per cent, and looking ahead, the province is projected to grow to 7.3 million people by 2051 as families from across Canada and beyond seek a good quality of life.

Strathmore is part of that story. Our town is growing, and with that comes the need to make sure we’re ready—for young people hoping to put down roots, new families, and seniors looking to stay in the community. Council is focused on ensuring we manage this growth carefully to keep Strathmore’s character while creating new opportunities for residents.

We know that preparing for growth means more than just adding houses. It’s about ensuring people can find the right kind of home at every stage of life—whether that’s a young person looking for a rental, a family buying their first house, or a senior downsizing. That’s why we are focused on encouraging a range of housing options, including affordable housing, so that when people see all Strathmore has to offer, they know there’s a place here for them.

We’re already seeing this vision take shape. Recently approved projects introduce various housing types, including low-density, medium-density, and apartment-style living. More projects are in the works, including apartment buildings, seniors’ living spaces, and assisted living units—ensuring we have homes that meet the needs of residents at every stage of their lives.

As we plan for the future, Council and administration are committed to striking the right balance. We want to see the kind of growth that moves Strathmore forward while staying true to the values and spirit that have made this town home for generations of Albertans. That means supporting development that respects the charm of our neighbourhoods and keeps quality of life at the heart of every decision we make.

Strathmore is optimistic about what’s ahead. Our community is growing, but we’re growing with intention—planning for the future while protecting what we love about this town. Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or you’re just considering joining us, Strathmore is a place you can be proud to call home.

By Mayor Pat Fule
See the article in the February 26, 2025 edition of the Strathmore Times

Affordable Living is one of the top priorities for Council. We’re dedicated to keeping Strathmore an affordable place for everyone to live and do business. This means making sure people have access to housing, essential services, and the support they need. While housing is a big part of the picture, we know it’s just one piece of the puzzle.

The rising cost of living is making life tougher for families and businesses, and we’re feeling it too. Inflation is driving up the cost of everything—whether it’s garbage collection or keeping our roads and water systems in good shape. Communities across the country are facing similar challenges, and Strathmore is no different.

That said, behind the scenes, the Town of Strathmore is working hard to bring Council’s vision for Affordable Living to life. We’re rethinking how we can do things at the municipal level to set our community up for success in the long run. While the challenges are real, there are many reasons for optimism:

Growing Community: Last year alone, we issued 186 residential permits, adding over $27 million in building value to our town. That means more homes and more options for people looking to live here.
New Developments: We’ve got several major projects in the works, including the AHS/Shasta seniors care community, multi-family developments, new neighborhoods like Lakewood and The Ranch, and new ASP’s just around the corner.
More Housing Choices: When Strathmore doubled in size through annexation in 2010, it gave us room to grow. We’ve continued supporting a mix of housing options to meet market demands.
Affordable Real Estate: Strathmore consistently has the lowest benchmark house prices in the Calgary region, making it one of the most affordable places in Canada to buy a home.
Predictable and prudent tax increases: our budget process is exhaustive-but it’s enabled Strathmore to be fiscally responsible. We continue to ensure our increases are predictable and well below the provincial average.
High Homeownership & Smart Spending: 78% of Strathmore residents own their homes—one of the highest rates in Alberta—and 79% of households spend less than 30% of their income on housing.
Support for Affordable Housing: We’re proud to support affordable housing initiatives, including Wheatland Housing Management Body’s project to bring 120 more senior units to Strathmore.
Cutting Red Tape: We’ve made it easier and faster to get development projects approved in Strathmore. In fact, we’ve got one of the quickest approval timelines in the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor, and our costs for builders are among the lowest, which helps keep housing prices down.
Great Quality of Life: While many communities in Alberta report average quality of life ratings in the 60s and 70s, 79% of Strathmore residents say they enjoy a good quality of life.
Smart Investments for Growth: We’ve made long-term investments in infrastructure like water and wastewater systems, ensuring we’re ready for future growth and challenges. These projects have positioned Strathmore for success for years to come.