Edmonton·CBC PODCAST

The struggle to find affordable rent in rural Alberta

A population boom across the province has some renters compromising to find a new home in smaller communities.

A population boom has some renters compromising to find a new home

A woman with short hair sits in an aluminum boat wearing a life jacket. She's smiling and manning the off board engine.
Kimberley Doyle on a trip to the Rockies. The Red Deer resident recently found a new place to live after an eight-month search for a new home. (Submitted by Kimberley Doyle)

Rent is high and supply is low, especially in smaller communities surrounding Edmonton.

In 2023 alone, Alberta's population grew by 173,000, or 3.9 per cent. In 2024 it increased by another 4.4 per cent, and all of this growth makes it harder to find an affordable place to live.

In the latest episode of This is Edmonton, CBC producer Pippa Reed shares the story of Kimberly Doyle, her eight-month hunt for rented accommodation  in the Red Deer area, and what she had to sacrifice to find a new place that suits her and her dog. 

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This is Edmonton is posted online every Wednesday. Listen here or get in touch at thisisyeg@cbc.ca.