Wood Buffalo is home to 76,000 permanent residents from all over the world. The high labour needs of its industrial economy mean that it also hosts a "shadow population" of 30,000 workers who do not live in the region full time. These workers often choose to leave after a few years rather than settle in the area with their families, in part because of housing cost pressures. The region is geographically large, with a central city (Fort McMurray) and many smaller rural settlements, and this combined with its transient population can make it a challenge to collect data and form a coherent narrative for change. The top level numbers hide the fact that Wood Buffalo has stark differences in income and high housing cost burdens for many who work outside of the oil industry. In addition, its remote location drives up the cost of building materials and labour, and a devastating fire that hit the core of the region in 2016 further constrained housing supply.

A team from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo worked with EDDIT to tell the story behind the numbers and the impact of high housing costs on different populations, in order to convince local and provincial government partners of the need to invest more in housing and build a community where everyone can afford a home.

Advocacy for an inclusive housing policy and more funding for different kinds of housing begins with emphasizing how affordable housing is linked with the long-term success of the region. Wood Buffalo has many resources available to families, including strong educational, healthcare, and recreational facilities — all of which depend on workers at every income level being able to live in the region. For Wood Buffalo to thrive with robust artistic, entrepreneurial, and community sectors, all ages and abilities must be able to find adequate housing. Ultimately, more abundant affordable housing allows for greater economic diversification, which is critical to the longevity of a region dependent upon a single industry.