(Cochrane, AB) — To help plan responsibly for the future of housing in our community, the Town of Cochrane is completing a comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment — a study that looks at what types of homes people need today and what will be needed in the years ahead.
On January 5, Council received a presentation at the Committee of the Whole outlining preliminary findings from the assessment, which provided early context on local housing trends and pressures and helped shape the next phase of community engagement.
The Housing Needs Assessment will help pinpoint current and emerging gaps in Cochrane’s housing landscape by exploring a wide range of housing-related factors, including affordability, suitability, adequacy, and the types of homes residents are seeking. The study will also assess how well existing housing options meet the needs of people who live and work in Cochrane and identify where gaps remain. Findings from this work will inform future housing policies, programs, and long-term planning decisions to support Cochrane’s goal of being a complete community.
To lead this work, the Town has partnered with CitySpaces Consulting, an independent planning and housing consultancy. CitySpaces will analyze housing data, review existing conditions, and gather input from residents and community partners to help identify housing gaps and emerging priorities.
“Good decisions start with a clear understanding of what’s happening on the ground,” said Matt Knox, Director of Social Development for the Town of Cochrane. “Data provides important insights, but hearing directly from residents helps us better understand lived experiences, where challenges exist, and what people may need as they plan for the future.”
Community input through the public survey, pop-up events, and stakeholder interviews is a key next step in completing the Housing Needs Assessment. The project aims to gather community-level involvement on the most pressing housing challenges residents experience, who is most affected and how those impacts show up day-to-day, and what housing types and solutions the community believes Cochrane needs moving forward.
Residents are invited to participate in one of two online surveys to share their experiences and perspectives on housing in Cochrane. The Cochrane Housing Needs Survey is for residents aged 18 and over and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, and participants may choose to enter a draw for a chance to win one of two $125 Walmart gift cards. The Youth Housing Survey is for ages 14 to 17 and takes approximately two minutes to complete, and participants may choose to enter a draw for a chance to win one $75 Walmart gift card. The surveys will be open from January 6 to January 31, 2026, and hard copy surveys can be returned to The RancheHouse or The Station by January 31, 2026.
The survey is available through Let’s Talk Cochrane, and results will be used to inform the Housing Needs Assessment and guide decisions that affect how housing is delivered in the years ahead. The What We Heard report and overall assessment findings will be shared in early Spring 2026.
For more information and to participate, visit www.letstalkcochrane.ca
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