Social Housing

Central McDougall faces high socio-economic challenges, with poverty at 51% per Statistics Canada, second-highest crime rates in Edmonton, and elevated non-market housing (NMH) concentrations (shelters, transitional, supportive, social, affordable units).

Based on 2019 census, all NMH types Central McDougall had 665 units or 23% of 2,843 dwellings. By 2021 the total dwelling count shrunk to 2,445 dwellings elevating the ratio to 27% NMH. Recent proposals with 248-units got city funding support in August 2025 increasing the existing and planned units 913 or (37%). CIVIDA (formerly CRHC) is proposing a 3rd CIVIDA development in the community adding another 100+ units coming soon. Official City figures (excluding shelters/transitional/group homes) cite 10% NMH.

Concentration has been linked to elevated disorder and police incidents. 2019 City report "Analysis of Non-Market Housing, Crime, and Social Disorder in Edmonton" (2011–2018 EPS data) found their selection of sites had fewer direct calls for emergency services (~4.2% total) and no aggregate crime correlation between calls and agency sites, aiding to the 2012 moratorium lift in 2019.

However, the 2026 paper "The Perils of Concentrated Compassion" critiques limitations: incomplete NMH inclusion, direct-call focus (ignoring spillover), no confounder controls, and no tipping thresholds (15–30% per Galster), where clustering weakens social controls, heightens exploitation, boosts turnover, strains services, and fuels decline.

Using 2022–2025 EPS data on five central areas, the paper shows strong correlations (r=0.89, p=0.042 between on 5 pause neighbourhoods; r=0.78, p=0.09 on 50 randomly selected neighbourhoods), with concentration as the primary factor after controls (R²=0.71).

For complete neighbourhood stats see Resources.

On April 22, 2010 the Executive Committee of City Council met to discuss Non-Market Housing Ratios and Future Directions. To view the video follow the link and click on item "5.2 Non-Market Housing Ratios - Future Directions" and the video will  automatically skip to the correct spot.