Work has commenced on the Diamond at Dunluce development in northwest Edmonton. This project, located at 365 Dunluce Rd. NW, is designed to provide 96 units for larger families when it opens in 2028.
The four-year wait for Edmonton’s multi-generational households
Large families in Edmonton currently face the longest wait times of any demographic when searching for affordable housing. According to Build Edmonton Homes, these households often spend an average of four years searching for suitable accommodations.
This delay has significant social consequences for vulnerable populations. Omar Yaqub, representing the partner organization IslamicFamily, noted that these extended periods of instability can lead to "generational poverty" as children are frequently moved between schools due to housing uncertainty. The lack of space often forces families into precarious living situations, including those fleeing domestic violence.
290 bedrooms and a 50% market discount
The Diamond at Dunluce project is spcifically engineered to accommodate high-occupancy living. The development will consist of four four-storey buildings with a total footprint of 14,586 square metres. When completed, the site will house 96 homes containing a total of 290 bedrooms.
To ensure accessibility, the units will range from two to five bedrooms, with the largest single residence reaching approximately 2,700 square feet. As reported by CTV News Edmonton, three quarters of these units will be offered at discounted market rates, with price reductions ranging between 20 and 50 per cent.
Halal financing and the surplus school site program
The project utilizes a unique financial and land-acquisition strategy to keep costs low. The development is being built using a halal financing model, often referred to as "fairer financing," through a partnership between Build Edmonton Homes and IslamicFamily. This model provides an alternative to traditional interest-based lending.
In addition to specialized financing, the project benefited from significant public support. The development secured grants from the Alberta Housing Partnership Program and the municipal government, while the land itself was provided through the city's surplus school site program.
The gap between 96 units and 9 ,000 required homes
While the Diamond at Dunluce addresses a critical niche, the scale of the problem remains massive. Data suggests the city requires approximately 8,100 two-bedroom units and roughly 9,000 three-plus bedroom units to meet demand. Because larger units impact double the number of people, the deficit in three-plus bedroom homes is particularly acute for young children.
Several questions remain regarding the long-term impact of this development. It is curently unclear how long the 20-to-50 per cent price discounts will be maintained for residents, or if the halal financing model can be scaled to address the thousands of units still needed. Furthermore, the source does not specify how the project will manage the inevitable pressure of demand once these 96 units are occupied.
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