COQUITLAM, BC, Feb. 9, 2024 /CNW/ – With federal funding and federal leadership, we are changing how cities let housing get built in their municipalities. With a greater focus on higher density housing, student housing, homes near transit and affordable housing we are going to get more homes built for Canadians at prices they can afford.
Today, the Government of Canada and the City of Coquitlam announced that they reached an agreement to fast track over 650 housing units over the next three years. This work will help spur the construction of more than 2,800 homes over the next decade.
The agreement, under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) will provide over $25 million to eliminate barriers to building the housing we need, faster. Coquitlam’s Action Plan commits to seven local initiatives that enable a variety of housing forms and densities to meet the diverse needs of the community. The funding will support innovative initiatives to streamline redevelopment of underused sites along key growth corridors, incentivize purpose-built and affordable rental housing, and reduce parking requirements city-wide. Initiatives also include delegating the approval of minor development variance permits to staff, strengthening partnerships with non-profits to expedite affordable housing, expanding digital permitting to improve processing times, and updating design guidelines to reduce time spent on design review.
HAF is helping cut red tape and fast track at least 100,000 permitted new homes over the first three years, which cities and regions estimate will lead to the creation of almost 550,000 permitted new homes for people in towns, cities, and Indigenous communities across Canada over the next decade. It asks for innovative action plans from local governments, and once approved, provides upfront funding to ensure the timely building of new homes, as well as additional funds upon delivering results. Local governments are encouraged to think big and be bold in their approaches, which could include accelerating project timelines, allowing increased housing density, and encouraging affordable housing units.
The Government of Canada is making life more affordable for Canadians – and housing is key to our work. We will continue to work with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, as well as Indigenous partners, to keep building more homes for Canadians, faster.
Quotes:
“We are excited and proud to announce this partnership with Coquitlam today. By streamlining the redevelopment of underused sites, incentivizing purpose-built and affordable housing and reducing time spent on design review by updating design guidelines, the City will ensure that Coquitlam has more of the kind of homes we need to tackle the housing crisis. We will continue working with cities, mayors, and all levels of government, to get more homes built for Canadians at prices they can afford.”– The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
“Our government knows the importance of safe, affordable, and accessible housing. It is a catalyst that allows Canadians to pursue education, jobs, and opportunity. When housing is in short supply, Canada’s whole economy suffers. With today’s announcement, we are eliminating barriers, investing in the economy, and supporting Canada’s middle class.” – Ron McKinnon, Member of Parliament for Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam
“Housing is the foundation upon which individuals and families build their lives. This $25 million federal investment in Coquitlam supports our efforts to meet the diverse housing needs of our community, while also supporting a suite of initiatives aimed at enhancing our community’s growth.” – Richard Stewart, Mayor for the City of Coquitlam
Quick Facts:
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Today’s announcement was made by Ron McKinnon, Member of Parliament for Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam, — on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, — and Richard Stewart, Mayor for the City of Coquitlam.
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Launched in March 2023, the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is a $4 billion initiative from the Government of Canada that will run until 2026-27.
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The Housing Accelerator Fund is part of Canada’s National Housing Strategy (NHS), an $82+ billion plan to give more Canadians a place to call home. Progress on programs and initiatives are updated quarterly at www.placetocallhome.ca. The Housing Funding Initiatives Map shows affordable housing projects that have been developed.
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As of September 30, 2023, the Government of Canada has committed over $38.89 billion to support the creation of almost 152,000 units and the repair of over 241,000 units. These measures prioritize those in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women and children fleeing violence.
Associated Links:
SOURCE Government of Canada
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The city expects to use the Housing Accelerator Fund money to build 600 new homes in the next three years, and 5,000 in the next decade.
Burlington is receiving an investment of more than $21 million from the Housing Accelerator Fund, which will help build 600 new homes in the next three years, and 5,000 in the next decade.
Members of the federal and municipal governments gathered at Burlington City Hall on Monday morning to unveil the plan.
“This is through the Housing Accelerator Fund to deliver significant and lasting changes to the way homes are built in our great city,” Burlington MP Karina Gould said. “Changes that will tear down the barriers and stumbling blocks that slow housing down.”
Currently, there are 41,000 units in development in Burlington – including homes and apartments – in different stages from early planning to pre-construction.
Guelph received a slightly larger investment over the weekend, for 750 new homes over three years.
“Today we’re announcing this new, exciting plan for the city of Burlington, but we’re also showcasing a new and more profound partnership between our two orders of government,” Gould said. “It’s a new way of working, and it comes at a time when we really need to be thinking about creative ways to unlock housing that is affordable across Canada.”
The Housing Accelerator Fund was launched in March 2023. The $4-billion fund aims to help fast-track the building of 100,000 new homes across Canada. The city also unveiled a seven-step action plan for implementing the Housing Accelerator Fund, including streamlining the planning and building approval process, implementing the Major Transit Station Areas and Community Planning Permit System, and supporting and encouraging the creation of additional residential units and the consideration of opportunities to increase as-of-right permissions, among other items.
Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said the city has also invested heavily in housing, noting that this year’s budget included an additional $2.28 million towards housing, on top of previous investments.
“The challenge that we have in front of us is something that has never been done in the history of our country,” Meed Ward said. “The magnitude of making sure people have a place to live in the next 10 years is like our moon landing, and we need everybody on deck to make it happen.”
Traditionally, housing has been primarily a municipal issue. With the ongoing housing crisis, separate levels of government have been required to step in and help cities with housing problems.
“This is the first time the federal government has taken an active role in partnering with the municipalities,” Oakville North – Burlington MP Pam Damoff said. “I want to give a shoutout to Burlington; they’re leaders in the country when it comes to how they’re dealing with development applications.”
As part of the city’s plan for the Housing Accelerator Fund, specific focus on major transit areas and the development of the Community Planning Permit System will allow for faster approvals on high-density developments that don’t require re-zoning.
The West End Home Builder’s Association (WE HBA), which includes Burlington, welcomed the announcement in a press release.
“The City of Burlington and the development industry have been working under a renewed close partnership to facilitate the more than doubling our current rates of housing construction with a strong focus on bringing more units from the development pipeline through to the permit process.” noted CEO Mike Collins-Williams. “This is a monumental task that requires collaboration between all three levels of government and the private sector. WE HBA is pleased to see the federal government coming to the table a significant amount of money to help us collectively facilitate the construction of significantly more homes.”
The Federal Housing Accelerator Fund will help fund infrastructure and remove barriers to the construction of new housing units, the WE HBA press release noted.
“The federal dollars will enable the City of Burlington to accelerate planning and permit approvals and upgrade infrastructure for new home construction in Burlington,” said Collins-Williams. “This will enable our members to deliver on the ambitious city objective of 29,000 newly constructed homes over the next ten years.”