November 26, 2012
The provincial government has introduced legislative amendments to the Planning Act and the City of Winnipeg Charter that would give municipalities the authority to encourage or require new residential developments to include homes that are affordable to low- and moderate-income households, Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux announced today.
“As the population of Manitoba continues to grow, there is definite need in communities across the province for affordable housing and density increases as new neighbourhoods are built,” said Lemieux. “This will give municipalities another innovative tool to help create more opportunities for families to access affordable housing in their communities.”
The proposed amendments include:
“We are looking forward to taking advantage of this opportunity and strongly encourage other municipalities dealing with affordable housing challenges to do the same,” said Mayor Shari
Decter-Hirst, City of Brandon.
Consultations were held in 2011 with representatives from Manitoba Housing and Community Development, the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, the City of Winnipeg, the City of Brandon and community non-profit and affordable housing groups. These discussions helped form the proposed legislative changes, Lemieux said.
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES LEGISLATIVE CHANGES THAT WOULD INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS ACROSS THE PROVINCE
“As the population of Manitoba continues to grow, there is definite need in communities across the province for affordable housing and density increases as new neighbourhoods are built,” said Lemieux. “This will give municipalities another innovative tool to help create more opportunities for families to access affordable housing in their communities.”
The proposed amendments include:
- specific zoning bylaw provisions that would allow municipalities to either take a mandatory or incentive-based approach to requiring affordable housing;
- a requirement that would have the municipality define affordable housing in the bylaw, based on local context and needs; and
- provisions on development agreements between the municipality and the developer that would intend on protecting the ongoing affordability of the housing units.
“We are looking forward to taking advantage of this opportunity and strongly encourage other municipalities dealing with affordable housing challenges to do the same,” said Mayor Shari
Decter-Hirst, City of Brandon.
Consultations were held in 2011 with representatives from Manitoba Housing and Community Development, the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, the City of Winnipeg, the City of Brandon and community non-profit and affordable housing groups. These discussions helped form the proposed legislative changes, Lemieux said.
- 30 -
No comments:
Post a Comment