Is Edmonton's First Place Program Still Available for First-Time Buyers? (2026 Update)
No — as of a City Council decision on April 15, 2026, there are no remaining sites left to be developed under Edmonton's First Place Program. The final sites were built out in 2023, and the program is not currently accepting new buyers. If you've seen this program mentioned as an active option, that information is outdated.
What the program was. First Place was a City of Edmonton initiative, running since 2006, that partnered with builders to turn vacant surplus school sites into townhomes. Buyers paid market price for the home itself, but the land portion of the mortgage was deferred, interest-free, for five years — making the upfront cost more manageable for qualifying first-time buyers. After the five-year deferral period, the land cost came due; it was deferred, not forgiven.
Who it was for. Eligibility was limited to first-time buyers meeting income and net worth thresholds, purchasing a qualifying townhome on one of the designated redeveloped school sites, with a requirement not to rent out the unit during the deferral period.
What first-time buyers should look at instead. With First Place no longer developing new sites, the relevant programs for Edmonton-area first-time buyers today are federal ones: the First Home Savings Account (FHSA), the RRSP Home Buyers' Plan, the First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit, and — for new construction specifically — the GST rebate programs we've covered separately. Alberta also has no provincial land transfer tax, which keeps closing costs lower than in many other provinces regardless of which program applies.
Source: City of Edmonton (edmonton.ca). This is general information only, not financial or legal advice — confirm current program availability and eligibility for any incentive directly with the relevant government source before making purchase decisions.
If you're weighing your options as a first-time buyer in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Devon, Spruce Grove, or Stony Plain, Jay can help you understand which current programs actually apply to your situation.
Call or text Jay at 780-220-8449, or visit jaysells.ca.
Jay Lewis | REALTOR® | RE/MAX Excellence | Lewis & Co. Realty