Municipal Role in Affordable Housing

NBNPHA 2013 CONFERENCE “Affordable Housing –

Planning for the Next Generation”

Mike O’Brien, Fredericton City CouncillorChair, Affordable Housing Committee

Municipal Role in Affordable Housing

Local Economy Vibrant

Low Vacancy Rate = Will Continue To Have Highest Rents in NB

N.I.M.B.Y ism - Getting Better, But Still Exists

Interest in Affordable Housing By Private Sector Growing – But Long Way To Go

The Need

HOMELESSNESS INDICATORS # who stayed in a shelter 323# of shelter beds for Men 40# of shelter beds for Women 9# beds for Youth 16-19 (women only) 8

HOUSING INDICATORS # of provincially subsidized units 788# of non-profit and coop units 255# on PNB waiting list 500rental vacancy rate 2.6average rent for 2-bedroom apartment $761 average rent for rooming house $425

INCOME INDICATORS # on social assistance 7,401SA $ for single person $537 SA 1 adult/1 child $809 Minimum wage $10/hrCPI on food 133%

INDICATORS

Visible Homeless Population - 430 persons

“Hidden Homeless” Population - 1,285 persons

Overcrowding- 1,095 households

In need of major repair - 2,485 households

Unaffordable Housing - 6,105 households

Fredericton’s Housing Iceberg

*despite increased housing starts, a large segment of the market place remains underserved.

Affordable Housing Committee Formed in 2006

City, GNB, GC, Social Agencies, John Howard, Emergency Shelter, Home Builders & Real Estate Associations, Financial, Chamber…..

Advocacy, education, action

Action Plan

Adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizing the right to housing….

“ Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services…

Action Plan

Adopted Land Discount Policy ◦12.5% discount for affordable rental developments

◦20% discount for single family AH homes

Deferred Upfront Development Fees to Non-Profits

Action Plan

Action Plan• Affordable Housing Days & Seminars•City of Langford, BC = voluntary inclusionary zoning

•Ed Powers of City of St. John’s = affordable private development model

•Michel Labbé (Options for Homes) Toronto = private non-profit co-operative model

•F.C.A.G.H. = “Housing First”

Action Plan

Dr. Avi FriedmanCo-founder of the Affordable Homes Program at the McGill

School of Architecture in Montreal,

Meet With All Ministers of Social Development

Support A.H. Zonings Applications at PAC

Provide Opportunities for A.H. Media Coverage

Action Plan

The Action Plan

was/is

Not Enough

……. Enter “Zone Fredericton”

Hit “Refresh”

#1. Modernize the way we manage the city's growth#2. Make the zoning by-law easier for residents and investors to use

PURPOSE

...meets the needs of all residents, but especially, of seniors, low-income residents, persons with disabilities, students, and newcomers to our city

#3. Meet changing social, economic, and environmental needs that….

Parking Reductions To Incent A.H.Up to 40 % of the required parking for Provincial A.H. programs.

… must prove the required parking can be provided if the A.H. units go to market rate in the future

Parking Reductions to Incent A.H.

Now: 1st 4 units parking exempt when part of a commercial development in the City Centre

Proposing 1st 8 units be exempt


Reduce minimum parking requirement for downtown assisted living housing to 0.25 spaces per unit (from 0.50).

The # of downtown essential services and amenities reduces need for seniors to drive


Reduced by 10% where residential developments are located close to transit

….and by 15% where residential uses are combined with commercial uses to create mixed use


By 20 to 30 % for apartment buildings in close proximity to existing services.

Smaller Lots to Incent A.H.

New zone with a smaller lot sizes (minimum frontage of 11.5 m and area of 345 m2)

Density Bonus to Incent A.H.

Most significant provision

Up to 20% more units where A.H. units are incorporated into the proposed development.

What’s Next? (to Drive A.H.)

A.H. Committee will work closely with stakeholder groups

Further amendments if further opportunities identified.

Mayor Woodside Assuming FCM Chair

“Educate, Educate, Educate”

Community Planning Act Revisions

Inclusionary Zoning? (what’s stopping us?)

Housing First – Next Steps

What’s Next? (to Drive A.H.)