This Fall, the Foundation's Board of Governors met to hear from the applicants to our Investment Grant program and award funds.

We awarded $1,025,069 to eight incredible projects that are helping to strengthen Alberta’s real estate industry and benefitting Albertans. Check out our latest Investment Grant recipients and learn about their projecs below:

Affordable Housing Modelling and Analysis

Organization: Southern Alberta Institute of Technology​

Grant amount: $150,000

Housing costs are often the largest expense in a family’s budget, making it increasingly difficult for Canadians to buy homes, save, and maintain their living standards. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reports that Canada needs 3.5 million new housing units by 2030 to meet demand and stabilize prices. While many organizations strive to provide affordable housing, affordable land and innovative financing models are often overlooked.

In this project, SAIT’s Green Building Technology Access Centre will explore ways in which Attainable Homes Calgary Corporation (AHC) is addressing this gap by developing affordable housing on underused City of Calgary land. Their unique approach leverages alternative finance models, varied housing types, and innovative construction methods to expand affordable homeownership options across a wider income range. This project explores AHC’s model as a pathway to stable, accessible homeownership, showcasing a scalable solution to Alberta's housing affordability challenges.

Westman Centre for Real Estate Studies: Advancing Real Estate Education

Organization: University of Calgary​

Grant amount: $120,000

The Westman Centre for Real Estate Studies is dedicated to developing skilled real estate professionals and advancing excellence in real estate education. As a leading center of excellence, the Westman Centre focuses on transforming student experiences, engaging the industry, promoting thought leadership, and ensuring the growth and sustainability of real estate programs.

With generous support from the Alberta Real Estate Foundation (AREF), the Westman Centre has enhanced programming and opportunities for students and community members. Through the 2024 Investment Grant, the Westman Centre will further align its initiatives with AREF's mission to foster education, research, and industry activities. Key initiatives over the next 18 months include:

• Career Development and Experiential Learning: Raising awareness among Haskayne students of diverse career opportunities in real estate while building essential practical and technical skills through hands-on learning experiences.
• Future of Real Estate Discussion Series: Hosting a three-part series on the 'Future of Real Estate,' showcasing industry research and thought leadership on emerging trends. Thanks to AREF's support, these sessions will be open to the community at no cost.

Learning to Dwell in Alberta: Housing Market Interdependencies and Structural Changes

Organization: The University of Alberta​

Grant amount: $108,000

This research project aims research aims to strengthen and deepen our understanding of the Alberta real estate​ market by providing comprehensive, accurate data on which to make consumer decisions, build policy, and guide housing development. ​

The project focuses on three key areas:

1. Developing Accessible Resources: Creating clear, easy-to-understand materials that explain real estate financing in Alberta.
2. Analyzing Market Interconnections: Investigating how Alberta’s housing markets are interconnected and examining the effects of economic changes on housing prices.
3. Understanding Consumer Behavior: Exploring how consumer learning and risk aversion influence decisions between renting and purchasing.

These initiatives aim to build knowledge and confidence in Alberta’s real estate market, helping consumers and professionals make informed choices in a dynamic environment.

Interactive Contract Resource

Organization: Alberta Real Estate Association​

Grant amount: $85,239​

This project involves creating interactive tools that have clause-by-clause video content for the three main forms used in residential real estate transactions: the seller representation agreement, the buyer representation agreement, and the purchase contract.​

AREA has already created 80-100 videos per contract (five total) but have found that the process of integrating them with the forms is complex and beyond their internal capacity. AREA would use grant money to contract an external firm to complete the technical aspects needed to achieve their vision for these tools.​

Understanding Energy and Air Quality in High Performance Residential Buildings

Organization: Red Deer Polytechnic​

Grant amount: $162,000

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) is committed to advancing knowledge in high-performance building practices, with a focus on Passive House and Net Zero Construction. ​

This project will leverage advanced metering technology by deploying sensors in the Studio Residence Building, a newly constructed facility that meets LEED Gold standards. Despite its innovative design, the building has faced operational challenges, particularly with solar heat gains. By closely monitoring energy production, usage, and indoor air quality, the project aims to generate data-driven insights that will address these challenges and guide the adoption of green building practices across Alberta​.

Siksika Nation Long Term Housing Strategy​

Organization: Siksika Nation Housing Society​

Grant amount: $150,000

This funding application seeks support to hire a consultant who will collaborate with Siksika Housing Tribal Administration and the wider on-reserve community to develop a comprehensive, long-term growth and development strategy for the Nation. The project will focus on engaging the community and conducting research on critical housing issues, population and demographic trends, and culturally sensitive housing designs. It will also explore climate-resilient, energy-efficient housing options, assess existing housing and retrofit possibilities, and identify opportunities for local economic development within housing design and construction.

The final outcome will be a strategic document, presented to the Siksika Nation Chief and Council for approval, to guide future planning and the procurement of new housing, ensuring alignment with the community's values and needs.

Addressing the Issue of Under-Utilized Commercial Real Estate in Rural Alberta

Organization: University of Alberta​

Grant amount: $149,830

This 18-month project aims to tackle the challenge of underutilized commercial spaces in small and rural communities across Alberta by researching innovative approaches from similar communities in North America, Europe, and beyond.

The project will culminate in a series of actionable recommendations for Alberta’s municipalities, community leaders, policymakers, and the rural real estate industry. These insights will be designed to drive policy changes and targeted investments that support meaningful, lasting revitalization in Alberta’s rural areas.

Increasing Utility System Support for Demand Side Management in Alberta’s Buildings

Organization: Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance​

Grant amount: $100,000

This project aims to bring utility Demand Side Management (DSM) initiatives, similar to those in other jurisdictions, to Alberta. DSM is a common tool used by utilities to manage the reliability and affordability of the utility system, and focuses on supporting consumers to better manage how and when they use their utilities. DSM programs often include supports for upgrades to buildings and offering compensation for customers that are able to be flexible loads – delivering value for both the real estate sector and the utility system.

Building on previous efforts, this project will allow the Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance (AEEA) to conduct and share research on DSM models from other jurisdictions, and work with other stakeholders to identify DSM opportunities tailored to Alberta’s unique market structure, infrastructure and regulatory landscape.

Explore our Projects page for more Foundation-funded initiatives.