City team tackles derelict properties
The Problem Property Initiative: Two years in review
Problem properties have been a long-standing challenge in Edmonton. They can have harmful impacts on the communities around them and the people living in them. They are often in significant disrepair, are unlivable or attract repeat criminal activity.
For years, concerned Edmontonians called for stronger measures to deal with problem properties. That’s why the City of Edmonton developed a strategy to address these places, in consultation with people impacted by them. In January 2023, the Problem Property Initiative (PPI) was launched to clean up properties, secure or demolish unsafe buildings, and uphold housing standards at high-risk properties.
From January 2023 to December 2024, the PPI conducted more than 14,000 inspections at over 1,800 unique properties.
Cleaning up and creating space for new development
The City’s focus on cleaning up and demolishing problem properties is contributing to neighbourhood vibrancy and paving the way for redevelopment. By addressing neglected and unsafe properties, the PPI is helping to ensure that neighbourhoods continue to be desirable places to live.
The PPI has coordinated 394 property cleanups and 10 demolitions, removing 1.63 million pounds of debris and hazardous waste from Edmonton neighbourhoods. All costs related to this work are billed to the problem property owner.
Furthermore, tickets issued by PPI enforcement officers, along with a higher tax rate for derelict properties, are making it increasingly costly for owners to neglect their properties. Following interventions by the PPI, 379 properties were demolished by their owners. Of those demolished properties, over 225 have since been redeveloped or have submitted applications for development permits.
Reducing fire risk in neighbourhoods
Fires in unsecured vacant properties are a significant risk to the community and first responders. The PPI has a dedicated team to reduce this risk by securing — and holding landowners accountable for — vacant buildings that pose a fire risk to the surrounding community. Where needed, 366 properties (out of 927 inspected) were secured with the related costs billed to the property owner. Over 300 of these properties have since been demolished by their owners. This work has led to a significant decrease in structure fires in vulnerable neighbourhoods.
Innovative approach to derelict properties
Derelict properties are often a blight on neighbourhoods and a burden on City resources. In 2024, Edmonton became the first city in Canada to introduce a tax subclass for derelict properties. Designed to encourage owners to improve or demolish their properties, the Mature Area Derelict Residential subclass allows the City to triple the tax rate for owners of properties in mature neighbourhoods that show serious signs of neglect, are dilapidated, are falling into significant disrepair or are unlivable.
Of the 202 properties assessed as derelict for the 2024 year, 54 were demolished, eight were remediated and 48 were sold. The subclass also generated revenue to help offset the costs of otherwise dealing with derelict properties. The City is now looking to expand the subclass to all Edmonton neighbourhoods, as well as non-residential properties and vacant land.
Supporting vulnerable populations
A PPI inspection team ensures that housing standards are met at high-risk residential properties. Throughout the course of inspections, the team helped connect 156 vulnerable individuals or families to 123 different service agencies for financial, medical, mental health, or basic needs support. Additionally, 81 people, including 37 children, were successfully rehoused from unlivable properties.
Expanding efforts across Edmonton
The PPI has a data-driven focus on the neighbourhoods most affected by problem properties. In 2023 and 2024, proactive resources were dedicated to eight core northside neighbourhoods, like McCauley and Alberta Avenue. This year, 15 neighbourhoods will receive the same attention, including five on the south side. Community members from these neighbourhoods were informed of this expansion at a public meet-and-greet in October 2024. The PPI has participated in 72 stakeholder meetings with 125 groups and 7,300 individuals.
To learn more about the Problem Property Initiative visit edmonton.ca/ProblemProperties. To report a problem property, visit edmonton.ca/ProblemProperties or call 311. To report an unsecured vacant property email communitypropertysafetyteam@edmonton.ca or call 311.
Information provided by the City of Edmonton.