Edmonton sees record number of housing starts in 2024

EDMONTON – The City of Edmonton says it is on track to a record number of housing starts and residential units with approved building permits issued in 2024.

From Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, housing starts are up 48 per cent and the number of dwelling units with approved building permits is up 65 per cent over the same eight-month period in 2023, a City of Edmonton release said.

The number of units with approved building permits to date in 2024 have surpassed the number through 2023 and is on track to beat Edmonton’s all-time record, set in 2015.

“I’m very optimistic that we are beginning to see positive outcomes from several initiatives that make it easier, faster and more affordable to build the housing our city needs. The City of Edmonton is working diligently to meet the growing demand for housing while expanding the variety of housing options to address diverse needs, including increasing our rental supply. City council remains committed to implementing innovative policies and investments that ensure a strong future for all Edmontonians,” Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said in a statement.

Through the first eight months of 2024, apartments, row houses, mixed-use houses, secondary suites and backyard houses account for 68 per cent of the city’s total permitted residential units, the release said.

A breakdown of starts and building permits is below.

Housing starts