Imagine losing your home in a devastating fire, watching all your belongings vanish, and then having to leave behind the community you’ve called home for 30 years—forced to relocate thousands of kilometres away to live with family.
That happened to Sue Catto and her family when the Jasper wildlife fire destroyed her home in July 2024. Now, she finally has the chance to return to Jasper, moving into interim housing as she begins rebuilding her life in her hometown.
“For us, it is truly interim housing. We are staying there because we are waiting to rebuild,’” Catto told CBC News.
After months of uncertainty, Catto and the first displaced residents are moving into their new temporary homes. It’s been a long and stressful road, but with the federal government stepping in to cut through the provincial-federal political deadlock, relief is finally setting in for those who lost everything.
A Political Standoff
For months, Alberta and Ottawa were locked in a dispute over how best to provide housing for the over 600 Jasper residents who lost their homes in the wildfire that ravaged nearly 30% of the town. Alberta initially pledged $112 million to build emergency modular housing but later refused to release the funds unless the federal government expanded Jasper’s town boundaries. The province argued that there was insufficient land to build permanent homes within Jasper’s restricted footprint under the Canada National Parks Act.
However, Parks Canada and the municipality resisted this demand, emphasizing the need to rebuild within Jasper’s existing boundaries to maintain ecological integrity. While Alberta insisted on single-family homes, municipal leaders and recovery planners pointed out that high-density solutions were needed to accommodate as many displaced residents as possible within available land.
With negotiations at a standstill and residents growing increasingly frustrated, Ottawa announced a $30 million investment in interim housing, bypassing Alberta’s stalled plan and delivering a solution directly to Jasper’s residents. Parks Canada took the lead in securing 320 housing units, including 100 duplex-style trailers and 120 dorm-style units.
As one disgruntled resident told TheRockies.Life, “The province reneged on its promised money to rebuild, causing delay and frustration to residents who just want to get on with the process of starting over.”
Interim Housing Arrives
In mid-February, the first interim housing units began arriving in Jasper.
The same resident frustrated about the lack of provincial housing support told us that seeing the housing rolling into town was the ‘best Valentine’s present I ever had!’
The Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre (JRCC), led by project manager Logan Ireland, oversaw the process. “It was a very exciting moment for all of us here at the JRCC, and I hope for the community as well,” Ireland said. “It’s a symbol of all the work that’s gone into this and a reassurance that solutions are coming.”
The duplex trailers, designed for families, were placed on four serviced parcels within the townsite, while some, along with the dorm-style units, were installed at Marmot Meadows, adjacent to Whistlers Campground. Due to winter conditions, water for the units will need to be trucked in until the ground thaws, at which point permanent infrastructure may be installed.
Rental costs for the interim housing have been set at $1,000 per month for one side of a duplex trailer, $1,500 for an entire duplex, and $500 for a dorm-style unit. Priority was given to the 70 families still living in hotels in town, many of whom had been moving from one temporary lodging to another for months.
Relief and Gratitude
February 26, 2025, marked a significant milestone as the first residents moved into their new homes. Among them was Philip Samonte, who, along with his wife, May, and sister, Theresa, had been living in various hotels since losing their apartment in the wildfire.
“So stoked and so happy,” Philip told the Jasper Local, carrying his belongings into his new duplex on Arnica Avenue. “We’ve been so grateful for the hotels, but it’s been really stressful not knowing where we’d end up.”
Philip admitted that the uncertainty had made him consider leaving Jasper altogether, but his wife and son were adamant about staying. “Even when the fire happened, and we didn’t have a home, I never thought of leaving,” May said. “I love Jasper because of the community. We help each other out. We support each other.”
Their new home, though compact, represents stability and a fresh start. “I think it’s going to be fun,” Philip said. “We’re close to our friends; we know some neighbours. Our families can take care of each other.”
Another resident, Reedgie Bayud, upon seeing his interim housing was impressed, “It’s furnished, and everything’s there!”
What’s Next?
Over the next few weeks, more families will settle into the new housing as Jasper continues its road to recovery. The JRCC is still looking for additional solutions to ensure no one is left without shelter. The current leases last two years, giving the town time to rebuild permanent homes.
For those affected by the wildfire, these interim homes mean security and a chance to rebuild their lives. There’s still work to be done, but for now, Jasper’s displaced residents finally have a place to call home again.
As one excited resident told TheRockies.Life, “We finally have a place we can call home and not be asked to move yet again. Now we can concentrate on getting our permanent home set up.”
