Next Municipality to Benefit From Housing Accelerator Fund

The Government of Canada and Brandon, Manitoba, reached an agreement on July 2, 2024 to address housing concerns. Housing Accelerator Fund(HAF) will expedite construction of 168 new homes in the next three to four years, and pave way for the construction of 761 more homes over the next ten years. The $6.2-million funding package will eliminate barriers to development of housing and encourage more affordable, high-density housing.

The Housing Accelerator Fund, a part of Canada’s National Housing Strategy, aims to streamline and expedite the approval process for new housing projects across the country. The $4 billion initiative, which will be launched in March 2023 to enable faster construction of new houses, is aimed at enabling the construction of homes. HAF’s goal is to build at least 100,000 homes by 2027. This will contribute to a total of 750,000 homes projected for 2034. The fund also encourages the local governments to develop bold, innovative action plans by providing upfront financing and additional support upon successful completion.

Brandon’s Action Plan

Brandon’s Action PlanHAF includes key initiatives.

The city will amend its zoning to allow four-unit buildings to be built as-of right in traditionally low density areas. This change will provide a wider range of housing choices and meet the growing demand for more densely populated living spaces.

A new role of housing liaison will be created in order to encourage collaboration between for-profit and nonprofit developers. This liaison will play a crucial part in aligning the city’s housing development goals with the capabilities and interests of various stakeholders.

The city is planning to introduce financial incentive programs to encourage the development affordable housing. These incentives make it more financially viable for developers including affordable units in their project, increasing the availability. To encourage the construction smaller, more affordable housing units, the City will offer density bonuses. These bonuses will allow developers build more than is typically allowed, provided that they include affordable options.

The city’s new plan will support intensification and increased density in established areas, particularly those close to transit, schools, and commercial centers. This strategy will increase urban growth while ensuring convenience and accessibility for residents.

As part of its overall development strategy, the city will review and update charges for development. This update aims at aligning charges more closely with actual timing of development and reducing financial burdens for builders during early project phases.

Brandon will prioritize the acquisition of land for affordable and market housing in order to ensure land is available. This will accelerate growth in key areas.