HTNS Believes More Time Needed For Community To Respond to HRM’s Accelerator Program Proposals.
Cities across Canada are facing an affordable housing crisis. Halifax is no exception and by its own estimates, HRM is facing a shortage of almost 20,000 units. In response to this national crisis, the Federal Government created the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). Applicants to this program are encouraged to put forward plans that increase housing supply.
In mid-January, HRM released its draft proposal for the HAF. HRM’s proposal includes a long list of recommended amendments to the Centre Plan, its principal planning policy. The proposed changes in the HAF proposals represent what are arguably the second largest revision to municipal planning policy after the Centre Plan itself.
The Centre Plan, approved by Council in late 2021, was developed after extensive consultation with the community over several years. In contrast, this HAF proposal was developed without any community consultation, and residents were given mere weeks to comment before the February 15 deadline. Not only does Heritage Trust believe this is grossly insufficient time for residents to provide feedback about an immensely complex set of proposals, but we believe it is a fundamentally undemocratic approach to planning for HRM’s future.
There are many possible roads out of this housing crisis and organizations like the Trust want to be part of finding solutions. Sadly, the current HAF proposal process doesn’t allow the Trust, or residents of HRM, the opportunity for meaningful input into shaping these strategies. Instead, we have been given enough time for only superficial analysis of the proposals and insufficient information upon which to base that analysis.
HRM planning staff are not able to answer fundamental questions such as:
What is the target number of new housing units HRM hopes to create?
How many housing units is it estimated the proposed amendments will create if they are approved?
What is currently allowed in each planning zone and how would this change if the proposed amendments are approved?
Everyone agrees we need to create more affordable housing in HRM; that is not in dispute. However, in order to choose the best path forward, residents need information and time to be able to provide informed input. That is why the Heritage Trust is calling on HRM to:
Extend the deadline for public comment on Housing Accelerator Fund proposals; and
Use this additional time to engage residents in meaningful dialogue on strategies to expand the supply of housing in HRM.
