The 36-unit development marks the first delivery under a national military housing construction program set to expand across Canada
A new generation of military housing has opened at CFB Edmonton, where 36 apartments have become the first net-zero-emissions-ready residential development in the federal portfolio.
The approximately $22.5 million project is also the first completed military housing development under Phase 1 of the Department of National Defence’s national housing construction program. Led by the Canadian Forces Housing Agency, the first phase is delivering more than 800 new Residential Housing Units at nine Canadian Armed Forces installations facing significant housing pressures.
The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development, visited CFB Edmonton on July 14 on behalf of Defence Minister David J. McGuinty to unveil the new apartments.
“Military readiness begins with supporting the people who serve. By investing in safe, modern, and energy-efficient housing, we are improving quality of life for Canadian Armed Forces members and their families while strengthening our ability to attract, support, and retain the talent needed to meet Canada’s defence commitments for generations to come,” expressed the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence.
The Edmonton development is part of a broader $1.4 billion commitment to modernize housing for CAF members and their families. The national construction program is designed to accelerate construction and increase housing capacity in locations where military housing demand is greatest, while supporting recruitment and retention and reducing pressure on surrounding housing markets.
In February 2026, McGuinty announced Phase 2 of the program, expanding construction to all 25 locations where the Canadian Forces Housing Agency operates permanent housing services centres.
“The women and men who serve Canada deserve safe, modern homes for themselves and their families. These new housing units at CFB Edmonton will help military families put down roots, stay connected to their community, and live in homes that is built for the future. These are the first net-zero-emissions-ready residential development in Canada, and we are so proud to have there right here in Alberta and in Edmonton. This project is creating lasting benefits for our community by supporting local workers and businesses and setting a new standard for sustainable housing,” explained the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development.
Beyond adding housing capacity, the Edmonton project introduces a new sustainability benchmark for federal residential construction. The development was delivered through collaboration among DND, the Canadian Forces Housing Agency, Natural Resources Canada, Defence Construction Canada and the Centre for Greening Government at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.
“Today we celebrate the completion of the first apartment buildings of the Residential Housing Program announced in 2025. These highly energy efficient apartments will provide much needed housing for the Canadian Armed Forces members and their families in Edmonton with the added benefit of reduced utility costs,” stated Paola Zurro, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Forces Housing Agency.
The housing program is intended to improve access to safe, modern and energy-efficient homes for military families while generating construction activity in communities across the country. For the CAF, the investment also connects housing directly to the broader challenge of attracting and retaining the people needed to meet Canada’s defence commitments.
“This project demonstrates what can be achieved when strong partners work toward a common goal. Through close collaboration with the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Forces Housing Agency and industry partners, Defence Construction Canada helped deliver high-quality, net-zero-emissions-ready housing that will serve Canadian Armed Forces members and their families for decades to come,” said Derrick Cheung, President and Chief Executive Officer, Defence Construction Canada.
