Housing

Read below for details on our Safe Park program and for links to housing resources in Canmore

Safe Park Program

Safe Park is a seasonal program that is designed to support individuals who are employed in our community and who reside in their vehicles. The program is open to both individual participants and local businesses who want to support their employees. Permits are issued to eligible participants through an application process, on a first-come, first-served basis. 


Overnight camping is not allowed within the Town of Canmore; unpermitted vehicles will be ticketed. Overnight camping on municipal lots, on residential streets, or in areas not designated for camping, is prohibited in Canmore.

 

Program Details

Safe Park runs from June 1 - September 30.

Read the Safe Park Program Responsibility Agreement

The total payment required is $150 ($100 program fee + $50 refundable deposit). The refundable deposit is retuned to program participants in October, conditional upon their adherence to the Program Responsibility Agreement.

If you are on holidays, there are a number of provincial campgrounds nearby. Most can be booked 90 days in advance but for no longer than 14 consecutive days.

If you or someone you know is struggling with housing or affordability, please contact Canmore Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) to review potential options. FCSS does not provide housing or financial support, but staff are available to help navigate available community resources.

To speak with someone or book an appointment, call 403.609.3743 or email fcssadmin@canmore.ca 

Office location: Canmore Civic Centre, 902 - 7 Ave

FCSS office hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (closed on statutory holidays).

There are several campgrounds around the Canmore area and in surrounding provincial parks. To make a reservation please visit: reserve.albertaparks.ca. Please note that vehicle permits (Kananaskis Conservation Pass) are required for campgrounds in Kananaskis Country and provincial sites in the Bow Valley Corridor.

Wapiti Campground is located on the west end of Canmore along Bow Valley Trail and sites are available from May 1 to October 14 on a first-come, first-served basis. Wapiti campground is operated by a contractor on land leased by the Town of Canmore from the Province of Alberta.

Exshaw Community Association Campsite is a volunteer-run, community campground within the municipality of Exshaw. The campground is operated as a first come-first served, campground.

There are also numerous provincial campgrounds nearby, but most can only be booked 90 days in advance and for no longer than 14 days.

The Job Resource Center offers one-on-one job search support, resumé and cover letter writing assistance, interview practice and feedback, job search webinars and more. A staff housing guide is also available and offers a review of the housing offered by the major employers in Banff, Canmore, and surrounding communities of Lake Louise and Kananaskis. 403.678.6601 | canmore@jobresourcecentre.com Canmore office location: 109 - 710 10 Street.

The Safe Park program supports individuals who are employed in the Bow Valley and living in their vehicle. If you or anyone you know is struggling with homelessness, please contact the Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley.

 
 

Housing Resources

See below for a list of housing resources that are available in the Bow Valley. 

Bow Valley Regional Housing provides appropriate housing services to the Bow Valley region to seniors and families of modest means who struggle to secure such accommodations.

 

More Information on Bow Valley Regional Housing

Canmore Community Housing (CCH) is a non-profit corporation wholly owned by the Town of Canmore. Established in 2000, CCH supports a more sustainable community by providing a range of housing that is appropriate and affordable for the community's needs. CCH runs the Vital Homes program. 

 

More Information on Canmore Community Housing 

There are two main property management companies in Canmore that deal with residential property rentals.

 

Asset West Property Management

 

Peka Professional Property Management

Many employers offer staff accommodation in Canmore, for more information visit the Job Resource Centre.  The 2019 Staff Housing Guide can be found here.

Happipad is about matching two compatible people – a host and a renter – into a mutually beneficial living arrangement. The host gains a happy face around the house, a helping hand, and some extra cash. The renter is given affordable, comfortable housing with a like-minded roommate.

Learn more