Problem properties—whether occupied or vacant—pose serious challenges to the well-being of surrounding communities and the people living or working in them.

These properties have a history of repeated violations relating to development permits, safety codes, nuisance conditions, public health, fire risk, or other illegal activity and/or criminal offences. They create an extraordinary demand on services, and often require a coordinated response from multiple agencies.

Edmonton’s Problem Property Initiative (PPI) coordinates the efforts of several City departments, the Edmonton Police Service, Alberta Health Services, and the Government of Alberta to address the many issues related to problem properties. 

Since its launch in January 2023, the PPI has shared stories about Edmonton’s approach to problem properties, including securing vacant buildings at risk of fire, demolishing unsafe abandoned structures, providing support to tenants, and a tax subclass for derelict residential properties. There’s so much more to tell. So, for this edition of Boyle McCauley News, here are 15 fast facts about the Problem Property Initiative.

The Problem Propery Initiative:

• Is designed in collaboration with community members affected by problem properties;
• Addresses both residential and commercial properties;
• Is an inter-jurisdictional partnership involving ten different agencies;
• Promotes the City of Edmonton’s goal of creating safe and inclusive spaces;
• Has four specialty teams to address different issues at problem properties;
• Addresses properties city-wide, with a data-driven focus on the neighbourhoods most affected by problem properties;
• Removes hundreds of thousands of pounds of debris and hazardous materials annually from Edmonton neighbourhoods;
• Proactively monitors several hundred vacant properties for nuisance conditions and breaches;
• Significantly reduces the number of structural fires occurring in Edmonton neighbourhoods;
• Ensures problematic residential properties comply with minimum housing standards;
• Connects vulnerable tenants to resources and services, including rehousing from unlivable problem properties;
• Holds private property owners accountable for the costs related to cleanups, board ups, and demolitions at their properties;
• Promotes neighbourhood vibrancy by stimulating the redevelopment of derelict vacant properties;
• Has a confidential problem property reporting form at its web page; and
• Is influencing how other municipalities across Canada address problem properties.

To learn more about the Problem Property Initiative, to register for the PPI newsletter, or to report a problem property, visit edmonton.ca/ProblemProperties or call 311. To report an unsecured vacant property call 311 or email communitypropertysafetyteam@edmonton.ca. 

Information provided by the City of Edmonton.