(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Alessia Proietti

One step forward

Red Deer city council approves 10 recommendations for housing asset development

May 1, 2023 | 9:12 PM

Red Deer city council unanimously supported 10 recommendations with the goal to increase permanent supportive housing in Red Deer

At their regular meeting on Monday, council approved actions municipal government can take that respond to the Community Housing and Homelessness Integrated Plan. Administration also presented an action plan for pursuing all ten enablers within the next three years, including some that they say would be actioned immediately.

The City says the recommendations were researched and analyzed to best leverage funding from other orders of government.

In January 2022, council passed a motion directing the City’s Housing and Homelessness Integration Committee to expedite permanent supportive housing asset development and to explore related funding and government enabling actions.

On February 6, council directed administration to prioritize zoning and permitting processes for affordable housing and permanent supportive housing applications, specific to applications seeking the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Rapid Housing Initiative and the Government of Alberta’s Affordable Housing Partnership funding, whose details will be shared with the public in Spring 2023.

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Administration says the following recommendations are supported by case studies and have shown success in other municipalities:

1. Surplus land: Present a report to council in late 2024 containing a list of potentially suitable surplus lands or buildings that the City may consider using for affordable housing.
2. Financial incentives: Present to council a tax supported financial incentives program in November 2023 during the mid-cycle budget review and explore the City’s application for the CMHC’s new “Housing Accelerator Fund”, by its June 2023 deadline.
3. Property tax exemptions: Present a grant program, instead of property tax exemptions, in November 2024 as part of the next budget debate to ensure equitable and transparent implementation for properties not under the Alberta Social Housing Corporation that also provide affordable housing.
4. Land designations: Present to council in late 2024 a full business case regarding land designation outlining financial feasibility and risks to the City’s Land Bank.
5. Fast track development: Prioritize zoning and permitting processes for affordable housing and permanent supportive housing applications as an immediate, long-term measure, specifically to applications seeking funding from other orders of government.
6. Waive municipal fees: Ensure municipal fees are eligible expenses in the tax-supported financial incentives program and present it to council in November 2023 during the mid-cycle budget review.

The resolutions also endorse the following administrative actions:

1. Continue support to potential applicants for federal, provincial and municipal affordable housing programs.
2. Develop key messages supporting the City’s advocacy for increased affordable housing stock.
3. Develop a new Land Use Bylaw for council consideration in 2023.
4. Explore the conversion of commercial buildings for timeliness and affordability.

“In addition to reflecting the Community Housing and Homelessness Integrated Plan (CHHIP), the approved enabling actions are the result of community input, local context, and promising practices and we expect them to make an impact towards our community’s housing affordable housing and permanent supportive housing goals,” said Ryan Veldkamp, the City’s Social Wellness & Integration Supports Superintendent.

Councillor Cindy Jefferies expressed a desire to see things get built as they have been patiently working towards for the past several years.

“I recognize we might put some municipal dollars into this but I ask you, how much money do we spend on a daily basis to hold someone in houselessness in this community? We provide RCMP services, ambulance-paramedic services, hospital services,” she said. “Whether it be city services, or non-profits, RCMP, there’s all sorts of money being spent to hold people where they are now. If we shift that, perhaps we can turn the tide and change that pattern.”

Councillor Kraymer Barnstable says while he is supportive, he is hesitant with the recent trend of federal and provincial governments asking more of municipalities.

“This is not the only area where, all of a sudden, nothing’s been done for so long that municipalities are in need to step up when this is not really what our tax base is designed for. We don’t have the resources that they have. I’m hoping that by taking this step forward it shows that we’re prepared to do what we need to do to get housing in our community but also that still doesn’t alleviate the pressure on the province or the federal government.”

Mayor Ken Johnston said he is “sick and tired of the federal government, god bless them, ignoring the mid-sized cities in this country” and hopes to see more funding headed to cities like Red Deer.

He added that a special council meeting will be held next week regarding the permanent shelter.

More information on Housing & Homelessness efforts can be found on the City’s website.