Michael Green

In its efforts to build more affordable housing, City of Edmonton staff will find their dollars will go a little further after the province changed the building code for wood-building construction. Instead of limiting construction to six storeys, use of fire-resistant material will now be allowed for 12 storeys. …“Not only will this decision support the forestry industry and land developers, it will provide affordability to homebuyers, bolster employment and give Alberta a competitive advantage,” he said. Christel Kjenner, Edmonton’s director for housing, said that wood construction is considerably cheaper than concrete. …While calling it a good policy move for other reasons, she said that so far, no affordable housing buildings over six storeys have been built in Edmonton.