PAQTNKEK MI'KMAW NATION,
NS, July 12, 2024 /CNW/ - To help tackle
the housing crisis, we need to change how municipalities let
housing get built in communities. By focusing on increasing density
and affordable housing, this will help build more homes for
Canadians at prices they can afford.
Today the Government of Canada
and the Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation announced their agreement to fast
track 18 housing units over the next three years. This deal will
help spur the construction of more than 25 homes over the next
decade.
The agreement, under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), will
provide over $1.2 million to
eliminate barriers to building the housing we need, faster.
Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation's Action Plan commits to five local
initiatives including establishing a zoning policy for dedicated
rental units, promoting the development of accessible units for
elders and people with special needs, offering free service
connections to developers who meet high-density zoning
criteria, and streamlining the housing application process
through a new online system.
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.
In Budget 2024, the federal government committed an additional
$400 million to incentivize more
local governments to fast-track home construction, resulting in an
additional 12,000 new homes permitted over the next four years.
The Government of Canada is
making life more affordable for Canadians – and housing is key to
our work. We will continue to work provincial, territorial, and
municipal governments, as well as Indigenous partners to keep
building more homes for Canadians, faster.
Quotes:
"We are excited and proud to announce this agreement through the
Housing Accelerator Fund today. Addressing the unique housing
barriers that Indigenous communities face is essential to ensuring
that people can remain in them, connected to their families and
culture. We will keep working with 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
"Through innovation and partnerships with local governments, we
can build the homes we need to create affordable, inclusive and
diverse communities. Partnering with Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation
through the Housing Accelerator Fund does just that. We will
continue to work together to make life more affordable and create
strong, more prosperous communities here in Nova Scotia and across our great country"
– Mike Kelloway, Member of
Parliament for Cape Breton—Canso
Quick Facts:
- Today's announcement was made by Mike
Kelloway, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton—Canso on
behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing
Infrastructure and Communities, and Cory
Julian, Chief of Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation.
- Launched in March 2023, the
Housing Accelerator Fund is a $4.4
billion initiative from the Government of Canada that will run until 2027-28. The first
round of funding totalled $4 billion,
and Budget 2024 added an additional $400
million to this program.
- 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 March 2024, the federal
government has committed $50.97
billion to support the creation of over 146,000 units and
the repair of over 286,000 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