NEW-WES-VALLEY, NL,
May 13,
2024 /CNW/ - With federal funding and federal
leadership, we are changing how housing gets built in communities.
With a greater focus on density and affordable housing, we are
going to get more homes built for Canadians at prices they can
afford.
Today, the Government of Canada, the Town of New-Wes-Valley, and the
Town of Port Rexton announced that
they reached agreements to fast track a combined 42 homes over the
next three years. This work will help spur the construction of more
than 460 homes over the next decade. These two agreements under the
Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), will provide nearly $1.4 million to eliminate barriers to building
the housing we need, faster.
New-Wes-Valley's Action Plan commits to five local initiatives
such as increasing focus on low-income housing through a
multi-family complex, a tax sales incentive for residents who wish
to build but are struggling to find suitable land, and reviewing
municipal regulations to better support and encourage building new
homes.
Port Rexton's Action Plan
commits to five local initiatives including promoting a climate
adaptability and mitigation plan, supporting non-profit
organizations to create and maintain more affordable homes, and
reviewing neighborhood planning practices to encourage modular
housing.
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 over 750,000
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 our Indigenous partners to
keep building more homes for Canadians, faster.
Quotes:
"We are excited and proud to announce this partnership with
New-Wes-Valley and Port Rexton
today. With initiatives like reviewing existing regulations and
forming new partnerships with non-profit organizations, these
communities are working to ensure that they have more of the kind
of homes needed to tackle the housing crisis. We will keep working
with municipalities, mayors, Indigenous partners, 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
"New-Wes-Valley and Port
Rexton have stepped up to the plate to show they are
committed to getting more homes built in Newfoundland and Labrador. Through the agreements we're
announcing today, our government is unlocking new opportunities for
social and economic growth in our communities." –
Churence Rogers, Member of
Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity
"Small towns need to grow to become viable and the greatest
obstacle to this is money. This funding will give us the ability to
hopefully build on what is already a prosperous town."–
Michael Tiller, Mayor of
New-Wes-Valley
"The Town of Port Rexton is
thrilled to be part of this vital initiative, working hand in hand
with a local non-profit Otter Housing Association, to accelerate
the construction of much-needed homes on the Bonavista Peninsula. Through innovative
measures like promoting climate adaptability and mitigation,
supporting affordable housing development, and reviewing
neighbourhood planning, we're paving the way for sustainable living
in our region."– Dean Bailey,
Mayor of Port Rexton
Quick Facts:
- Today's announcement was made by Churence Rogers, Member
of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, on behalf of the Honourable Sean
Fraser, Minister of Housing Infrastructure and Communities, and
Michael Tiller, Mayor of
New-Wes-Valley.
- 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 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.
- As of December 31, 2023, the
Government of Canada has committed
nearly $43 billion to support the
creation of almost 135,000 units and the repair of over 270,000
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:
- Housing Accelerator Fund
- Housing Accelerator Fund – Building more homes, faster
- Building more homes, faster
- Making housing more affordable for Canadians
- National Housing Strategy
SOURCE Government of Canada