Rental vacancies surging in northern Alberta town

20-Jul-2026

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A northern Alberta town is grappling with an unprecedented surge in rental vacancies following the closure of the West Fraser Mill earlier this spring. The shutdown, which eliminated 190 jobs, has left dozens of homes empty and the local housing market struggling to recover.

Local realtor Margaret Carroll, who manages nearly 200 rental properties, says she currently has 24 units sitting vacant — a situation she has never experienced before. “I’ve never seen this many empty homes at once,” Carroll noted, adding that she requires tenants to have stable income, no pets, and no indoor smoking.

Residential listings in High Level have jumped 30 percent year-over-year, but sales remain sluggish. Mid-range homes priced between $250,000 and $350,000 are moving slowly, while higher-end properties face even greater challenges. One homeowner, Gerald Hexspoor, reduced his asking price from $600,000 to $499,500 after two years without a buyer.

High Level has weathered mill closures before, but the town remains a service hub with jobs in education and healthcare. Former town administrator Clark McAskile believes the community’s resilience will carry it through, noting that future resource booms could revive the housing market.

Realtors expect activity to pick up in August, as families relocate before the school year begins.