The City of Calgary has introduced the Downtown Density Bonusing Offset Program, designed to reduce construction costs of new homes, leading to new high-density residential development downtown. A release from the city says the program will invest “in important community amenities that benefit both existing and future residents. The program supports faster downtown residential growth, giving Calgarians access to jobs, transit, arts, culture and public amenities.” “With the explosive growth we are seeing here, it's clear that Calgary needs to build more homes,” says Mayor Jyoti Gondek in the release. “Building homes downtown ensures we’re meeting demand, boosting affordability, providing options for Calgarians, and creating a more connected and livable city for everyone." The incentive program is targetted to remove barriers from construction and provide financing for the creation of more than 1,500 homes in the downtown core, making it easier, faster and more cost-effective to build the homes, says Thom Mahler, director of downtown strategy. “Downtown is one of Calgary’s fastest growing communities, and Calgarians are embracing the lifestyle,” says Mahler. "This program is an incredible opportunity to build high-density development that fits the area, benefits the entire city and creates homes with easy access to jobs, transit, arts, culture, and exciting public amenities.” .“By removing barriers and adding incentives, we are making it easier, faster and more cost-effective to invest and build in the heart of the city.” Density bonusing is a planning tool allowing developers to add more suites, floors, or square footage, in exchange for investing in community amenities such as parks, public art, community investment fund contributions and affordable housing, adds Mahler. “The incentive program will offset the cost of eligible contributions to encourage new high-density residential projects in the greater downtown area,” he says. “The Downtown Density Bonusing Offset Program is part of a suite of initiatives revitalizing Calgary’s downtown, alongside office-to-residential conversion incentives and new housing programs, supporting both our downtown strategy and Calgary’s Housing Strategy.” The program opens to eligible applications on June 1, 2025. More information is available at calgary.ca/DTS.
The City of Calgary has introduced the Downtown Density Bonusing Offset Program, designed to reduce construction costs of new homes, leading to new high-density residential development downtown. A release from the city says the program will invest “in important community amenities that benefit both existing and future residents. The program supports faster downtown residential growth, giving Calgarians access to jobs, transit, arts, culture and public amenities.” “With the explosive growth we are seeing here, it's clear that Calgary needs to build more homes,” says Mayor Jyoti Gondek in the release. “Building homes downtown ensures we’re meeting demand, boosting affordability, providing options for Calgarians, and creating a more connected and livable city for everyone." The incentive program is targetted to remove barriers from construction and provide financing for the creation of more than 1,500 homes in the downtown core, making it easier, faster and more cost-effective to build the homes, says Thom Mahler, director of downtown strategy. “Downtown is one of Calgary’s fastest growing communities, and Calgarians are embracing the lifestyle,” says Mahler. "This program is an incredible opportunity to build high-density development that fits the area, benefits the entire city and creates homes with easy access to jobs, transit, arts, culture, and exciting public amenities.” .“By removing barriers and adding incentives, we are making it easier, faster and more cost-effective to invest and build in the heart of the city.” Density bonusing is a planning tool allowing developers to add more suites, floors, or square footage, in exchange for investing in community amenities such as parks, public art, community investment fund contributions and affordable housing, adds Mahler. “The incentive program will offset the cost of eligible contributions to encourage new high-density residential projects in the greater downtown area,” he says. “The Downtown Density Bonusing Offset Program is part of a suite of initiatives revitalizing Calgary’s downtown, alongside office-to-residential conversion incentives and new housing programs, supporting both our downtown strategy and Calgary’s Housing Strategy.” The program opens to eligible applications on June 1, 2025. More information is available at calgary.ca/DTS.
