Calgary Housing Groups Demand New Plan After Rezoning Repeal

0:00It's April 14. This is Calgary News today, your AI-powered local news. A coalition of housing groups in Calgary just hit City Hall with a big demand for a new plan to build more homes after Council repealed Citywide. Resoning last week, by a 12-3 vote. That policy kicked in last August 2024 and let developers add duplexes, row homes, and townhouses on single-family lots without extra. Hearings hitting over 300,000 properties Citywide. Now these advocates from spots like More Neighbors Calgary and the University Students' Union say scrapping it without a backup makes the housing. Crunch worse, especially for full-time workers who still can't find a place. They're calling out Mayor Jerome Farcus for ditching his election promise on gentle density after six months of quiet. Folks are fired up with developers already hitting pause on projects since permits take up to 14 months total and they're waiting for clear. Rules come August.

1:00The Mayor fired back, stressing funding for a housing office, nonprofit deals, and land for affordable builds, but no more blanket changes he wants. Community buy-in first. Counselor DJ Kelly, who backed the repeal, emits a full replacement might take 18 months, tying into updates on development maps and zoning. Rules. Fishing more local area plans to pinpoint density spots, with aid done, three in progress, and a goal of 42 across town. Bottom line, even repeal fans agree. Advocates got a point words like Kelly's lost 25,000 residents since peak, and smart density keeps. Schools open and transit running solid, time to map that path forward and fill those homes.