Canada is in a housing crisis. Municipalities have an important role to play in addressing this crisis by removing outdated approaches to permitting and zoning that are not keeping pace with the growth of our communities. But, they cannot do this alone. 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.

The program was extremely competitive, with 540 applicants. To secure federal funding, cities across Canada revised their applications to include more ambitious measures that will help build more homes to improve their chance at receiving federal support. In the first three years, the program will fast-track more than 107,000 permits for new homes nationally.  Over the next decade, these agreements will be responsible for more than 750,000 newly permitted homes nationally.

This program is going to help get more homes built, faster and ensure that we have more homes at prices that Canadians can afford to rent or buy.

 

The Town was successful in its application to the HAF Program in which the Town will receive $3.26 Million to implement 5 Action Initiatives in efforts to enhance Planning and Development processes to create more housing in New Glasgow.  With the support of HAF, New Glasgow has committed to delivering an incremental 209 housing units by 2027.

 

Action Plan Initiative #1 - Planning and Development Process Improvement 

• Invest and implement a new e-permitting online platform;
• Introduce a Development Officer role that is dedicated to executing permits;
• Purchase and implement a Planning and Asset Management System;

Action Plan Initiative #2 - Integrated Community Plan

Initiative objectives:

• Integration of all existing Strategies and Plans into an official Community Plan;
• Plan review and development of the Land Use By-Law and Municipal Planning Strategy;
• To review, plan and strategize on the current and future needs of the New Glasgow Water Utility.
• Complete review and revision of the Future Development Area policy.

Action Plan Initiative #3 - Affordable Housing Partnership Strategy

Objectives of this Initiative are to:

• Develop an Affordable Housing Partnership Strategy that outlines existing relationships, and considers new opportunities.
• Work towards creative solutions to supporting affordable housing developments;
• Support efforts of the development of the Vulnerable Persons Population Health Strategy with a focus on actions to help housing insecurities.

 

Action Plan Initiative #4 - Infill Development Action Plan & Utility Infrastructure Expansion Strategy

Initiative objectives:

• Develop a full inventory of vacant land and buildings for both municipally and privately owned properties;
• Create a marketing program to promote and advertise the vacant lots and buildings that are identified as candidates for development;
• Create an assessment process to determine the feasibility of developing on infill properties and buildings to ensure goals of increasing multi-unit housing solutions are achieved at each selected site;

 

Action Plan Initiative #5 - Brownfield Redevelopment

Initiative objectives:

• Develop a full inventory of current brownfield land and underdeveloped large parcels of lands.
• Create a strategic plan that identifies the best properties to pursue steps to develop.
• Complete review and revision of the Future Development Area policy.