Last updated: July 2026
If you are a first-time home buyer in Alberta in 2026, most of the tools that still help you are federal (savings, tax credits, RRSP withdrawals) plus a few city or non-profit paths. Alberta does not currently run a broad province-wide first-time buyer cash grant. This guide lists what is still open, what has closed, and where to verify rules on official sites before you apply.
Program rules change. Always confirm eligibility on the linked government or program pages. This article is general information, not tax, legal, or mortgage advice.
Key takeaways for 2026 buyers
- Still useful for most Albertans: First Home Savings Account (FHSA), Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP), federal Home buyers’ amount tax credit, and (for many new builds) the GST/HST new housing rebate.
- Closed to new applications: CMHC First-Time Home Buyer Incentive (shared equity) — applications stopped March 2024.
- No remaining First Place sites in Edmonton: City of Edmonton states that as of Council approval on April 15, 2026, there are no remaining sites to develop under First Place; final program sites were developed in 2023.
- Calgary non-profit option still active: Attainable Homes Calgary’s Attainable Homeownership program (below-market model with trade-offs on resale).
- Do not rely on outdated “PEAK grant” blogs as if PEAK were a current provincial grant for all buyers — treat PEAK as historical unless a live official program page says otherwise.
What’s available in 2026 (quick status table)
| Program | Level | Status (as of July 2026 research) | What it does (high level) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Home Savings Account (FHSA) | Federal (CRA) | Open | Tax-advantaged savings for a first home |
| Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) | Federal (CRA) | Open | Withdraw from RRSP toward a qualifying home |
| Home buyers’ amount | Federal tax credit | Open (claim rules by tax year) | Non-refundable credit for eligible first-time buyers |
| GST/HST new housing rebate | Federal | Open if you qualify | Rebate of GST/HST on eligible new or substantially renovated housing |
| CMHC First-Time Home Buyer Incentive | Federal (CMHC) | Closed to new applications | Former shared-equity down-payment support |
| Edmonton First Place Program | City of Edmonton | No remaining sites (program sites completed) | Was market-price townhomes with 5-year land-cost deferral |
| Attainable Homes Calgary — Homeownership | City-owned non-profit | Open (subject to inventory & eligibility) | Below-market ownership model with resale trade-offs |
Federal programs that still help Alberta first-time buyers
1. First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
The FHSA is a registered plan that lets eligible first-time home buyers save toward a qualifying first home, with tax advantages (contributions are generally deductible; growth and qualifying withdrawals for a first home can be tax-free, within the rules).
According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA):
- Your FHSA participation room in the first year you open an FHSA is $8,000.
- Over your lifetime, the most you can deduct as FHSA contributions is generally capped at $40,000 (see CRA deduction rules; RRSP transfers into an FHSA can affect what you can deduct).
- You can use an FHSA qualifying withdrawal and an HBP withdrawal for the same qualifying home if you meet the conditions for each program at the time of each withdrawal.
Official source: CRA — First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
2. Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) — RRSP withdrawals
The Home Buyers’ Plan lets you withdraw from your RRSPs to buy or build a qualifying home (or for a specified disabled person), if you meet CRA conditions.
According to CRA (page current as of 2026):
- The HBP withdrawal limit is currently $60,000 per individual (not more than $60,000 total under the HBP in a participation period).
- You generally repay withdrawals over time (standard repayment period is up to 15 years, with timing rules that depend on when you withdrew).
- CRA notes temporary repayment relief that can defer the start of the 15-year repayment period by an additional three years for participants making a first withdrawal between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2025 — confirm your situation on the CRA repayment page if this applies to you.
Official source: CRA — The Home Buyers’ Plan
3. Home buyers’ amount (federal tax credit)
The home buyers’ amount is a non-refundable federal tax credit that can reduce tax you owe if you buy a qualifying home and meet first-time buyer (or disability-related) rules. It is not a cash grant paid at closing.
According to CRA for the 2025 tax year (line 31270 guidance):
- You can claim up to $10,000 for the purchase of a qualifying home in 2025.
- Because the credit is non-refundable, it reduces federal tax payable; it does not create a refund on its own if you have no tax to reduce.
- If more than one person is eligible for the same home, they may split the credit, but the total claimed by all eligible persons cannot exceed the maximum for that home/year.
At the lowest federal tax rate of 15%, a full $10,000 claim is commonly described as reducing tax by up to $1,500 — but only if you have enough federal tax payable. Always use the CRA page for your tax year.
Official source: CRA — Line 31270 Home buyers’ amount
4. GST/HST new housing rebate
If you buy a new home or a substantially renovated home from a builder (or build yourself), you may qualify for a GST/HST new housing rebate under CRA rules. Alberta uses GST (not HST), so rebate calculations follow GST new housing rules.
Eligibility depends on factors such as whether the home is your primary place of residence, the type of purchase, and other CRA conditions. Do not assume every “new home” qualifies for the maximum rebate.
Start here: search CRA for “GST/HST new housing rebate” on canada.ca, or ask your builder/lawyer which rebate forms apply to your contract.
Programs that are closed or finished (do not apply as if open)
CMHC First-Time Home Buyer Incentive (shared equity) — closed
CMHC states clearly: the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive is no longer accepting applications. The deadline for new submissions was March 21, 2024, midnight EST, and no new approvals after March 31, 2024. Existing approved participants still follow CMHC repayment rules.
Official source: CMHC — First-Time Home Buyer Incentive
Edmonton First Place Program — no remaining sites
Edmonton’s First Place Program historically built townhomes on surplus school sites and sold them at market price with a 5-year deferral on the land portion of the mortgage.
According to the City of Edmonton’s First Place page: as of Council approval on April 15, 2026, there are no remaining sites to be developed under the program. The final First Place program sites were developed in 2023.
That means buyers searching in mid-2026 should not treat First Place as an open application stream for new inventory. Use the city page for historical context and completed developments only.
Official source: City of Edmonton — First Place Program
PEAK and other outdated “Alberta grant” claims
Many older articles still promote PEAK (Public Essential and Key) style down-payment help as if it were a current province-wide grant. For a 2026 buyer, do not count on PEAK unless you find a live official Alberta program page accepting applications. Prefer federal tools above and local non-profits with current inventory.
Calgary: Attainable Homes Calgary (still active)
Attainable Homes Calgary (AHC) is a non-profit, wholly owned subsidiary of The City of Calgary. It offers below-market ownership and rental options for Calgary’s workforce.
According to AHC’s Attainable Homeownership pages (as published on attainyourhome.com):
- It is a permanently affordable / non-market model: you buy at a below-market price, build equity by paying down the mortgage, and when you leave, AHC buys the home back at the same price you paid (no market appreciation to the seller). That trade-off keeps the unit affordable for the next buyer.
- Minimum buyer contribution toward the down payment can be as low as $2,000, with a down-payment loan available for the rest of the required 5% down payment (loan is repaid when you sell back; AHC states it does not charge interest on that loan).
- Published eligibility highlights include: ability to qualify for a mortgage; household income below $139,836; assets below $50,000 (RRSP/RESP and primary vehicle do not count against the asset limit per AHC FAQ); active full-time employment or retirement income; you must live in the home as your only home; household size must match the home size.
- Homes are condominium ownership with condo fees.
Register and confirm current inventory, income thresholds, and contracts directly with AHC — numbers and projects (for example The Heights) can change.
Official sources: attainyourhome.com · Attainable Homeownership program page
Practical 2026 checklist for first-time buyers in Alberta
- Open or top up an FHSA if you qualify (CRA rules).
- Review HBP if you have RRSP savings you are willing to repay later.
- Get mortgage pre-approval so you know budget before shopping.
- Budget closing costs (legal, adjustments, inspections) beyond the down payment — Alberta does not charge the same style of high land-transfer taxes as some provinces, but registration and other costs still apply.
- If buying new construction, ask about GST and any rebate paperwork early.
- If income-constrained in Calgary, check AHC registration and current projects.
- Do not apply for closed programs (CMHC FTHBI; Edmonton First Place new sites).
- Talk to a mortgage professional and tax advisor before combining FHSA + HBP + tax credits.
Exploring new builds? See new and upcoming Calgary communities and paths to buying with a smaller down payment. New Homes Alberta can help you match a realistic budget and program mix to the right home type — call (403) 305-9167.
FAQ
Does Alberta have a first-time home buyer grant in 2026?
There is no broad, province-wide Alberta first-time buyer cash grant that applies to all buyers the way some older articles imply. Most tools available to Albertans are federal (FHSA, HBP, home buyers’ amount, possible GST rebate) plus limited local/non-profit programs such as Attainable Homes Calgary.
Can I use FHSA and the Home Buyers’ Plan together?
Yes — CRA states you can withdraw under the HBP and make a qualifying FHSA withdrawal for the same qualifying home if you meet all conditions for each program at the time of each withdrawal.
Is the CMHC First-Time Home Buyer Incentive still available?
No for new applications. CMHC closed new submissions on March 21, 2024 (midnight EST), with no new approvals after March 31, 2024.
Is Edmonton’s First Place Program still taking buyers?
The City of Edmonton reports that as of Council approval on April 15, 2026 there are no remaining sites to develop under First Place, and final program sites were developed in 2023. Treat it as completed inventory, not a current open development stream.
What is the catch with Attainable Homes Calgary?
You may buy below market and start building equity by paying a mortgage, but when you leave, AHC repurchases at the original purchase price so the next moderate-income buyer can access the same affordability. Read AHC’s FAQ carefully before you commit.
Sources (searchable official pages)
- CRA — FHSA: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/first-home-savings-account.html
- CRA — Home Buyers’ Plan: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/rrsps-related-plans/what-home-buyers-plan.html
- CRA — Home buyers’ amount (line 31270): https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-31270-home-buyers-amount.html
- CMHC — First-Time Home Buyer Incentive (closed): https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/consumers/home-buying/first-time-home-buyer-incentive
- CMHC — Government of Canada homebuyer programs hub: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/consumers/home-buying/government-of-canada-programs-to-support-homebuyers
- City of Edmonton — First Place Program: https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/housing/first-place
- Attainable Homes Calgary: https://attainyourhome.com/ and https://attainyourhome.com/attainable-homeownership/
