A recently introduced incentive from the municipal government could facilitate the development of more student housing for NAIT students.
As campuses across the city continue to grow steadily, post-secondary students are in need of student housing to support their educational and financial growth. The Downtown Student Housing Incentive is a pacesetter. The program is the first of its kind within Canada and is intended to increase the amount of sustainable and affordable student housing around Edmonton’s downtown core.
NAITSA Vice President External, Robin Murillo, says this is welcome news for students. “It’s a good initiative by the city,” he says. “It’s needed, not only for us NAIT students but also for the Greater Edmonton area students because housing is a real concern.”
Housing remains an issue for Edmontonians
According to the City of Edmonton’s Affordable Housing Needs Assessment, there is a growing need for housing within the city as the population continues to grow and market rates increase.
The assessment found that “those in the lowest income bracket cannot afford any rental units in Edmonton at market rents without a deep subsidy, and there are very few rental options for households earning less than $45,000.”
Through this program, the federal government, through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), will provide $15 million dollars to the city. This funding will allow the municipality to develop an estimated 500 student housing units with no city tax dollars spent on the project. Additionally, the funding will provide a boost to the city’s downtown revitalization efforts, which have been quite substantial in recent years with the redevelopment of the Ice District and revenue brought in by economy-boosting live entertainment and events.
“Building houses can be complicated and you can’t do it fast. It takes years, but at least we’re starting this conversation.”
The deadline for applicants to have a building permit for their submitted project is November 2026, as advanced planning and timing is key to successfully achieving an initiative of this magnitude. The criteria for approval includes meeting the average rates of the rental market and being located within the core of downtown Edmonton. Unfortunately, this leaves housing for NAIT students through the Downtown Student Housing Initiative off the table — but according to Murillo, the polytechnic has its own plans for student housing in the works.
NAIT residence in progress
Murillo explains that student housing on campus would be especially valuable to trades and apprenticeship students who only need to stay on campus for a short period of time, which makes accommodations more difficult to find in the regular rental market.
“When I did my tour when I was campaigning, this was really a concern, especially for trade students, apprentice students in general,” says Murillo. “Apprentice students do go to NAIT for only eight to 12 weeks. So, how can you get housing or an apartment for rent that will grant you just two to three months?”
As NAIT students continue to push for housing on campus, conversations surrounding possible solutions are being had among NAIT executives. Student housing falls under the jurisdiction of Mike High, the Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer, and his team. Collaborative efforts have been made over the last 10 years to establish a plan for student housing, but the process is not as simple as it may seem.
“Yes, it involves money, at the same time it involves the city in terms of not only planning, but gathering permits and whatnot,” says Murillo. “So meaning if I do have a plan, I do have the funds, but the city doesn’t approve what I want to do or what NAIT wants to do, it can also delay the construction,” Murillo explains.
Murillo said that NAIT uses a request for proposal, which needs to be completed before these types of large projects can be started. “NAIT is not a private entity. We are a publicly funded institution, so it needs to have this type of process,” he explains.
NAIT has already identified a land where the housing would be built — it’s in the Blatchford area where the old airport once stood. NAIT is looking for a third-party partner to manage this housing.
In his work as VP External for NAITSA, Murillo plans to continue advancing discussions with partners surrounding student housing on NAIT campus. “Building houses can be complicated and you can’t do it fast. It takes years, but at least we’re starting this conversation.”
Feature image via City of Edmonton
