Why is there a need for the program?

Growing city requires range of housing options.

The innovative First Place Home Ownership Program is part of Edmonton’s multi-pronged housing strategy to help create a wider range of housing options to address our city’s growing needs.

Helping ensure a range of entry-level home ownership enables to Edmonton to continue to be an attractive city to invest, work and live in.

The First Place Program was created in partnership between the City of Edmonton, the Edmonton Public School Board, the Edmonton Catholic School District and the Government of Alberta to transform 20 vacant surplus school sites into new town homes for qualified homebuyers whose household income places them just out of reach of the first-time homebuyers market.

Strong economic outlook.

Serving as the gateway to Alberta’s oil and gas regions, Edmonton is strategically placed to benefit from the over $150 billion worth of planned oil and gas projects in Northern Alberta. The combination of high oil prices and Alberta’s reputation as a stable economy will continue to draw investment from around the world.

In 2008, $84 billion worth of major projects slated for Greater Edmonton will come on line. (source: 2008 Greater Edmonton Economic Outlook)

Essential for labour attraction and retention.

The Program targets employed first time homebuyers with a combined income of less than $88,000. The Program is important for the City’s long term ability to attract and retain a wide variety of skilled workers including but not limited to: teachers, nurses, tradesmen, police, fire response, social workers, recent post-secondary graduates and many in the service and health industry.

For more information about the creation of the First Place Program visit the City of Edmonton’s website: www.edmonton.ca/firsttimebuyers