Housing Accelerator Fund

Our Commitment

On February 16, 2024, it was announced that the Municipality was the recipient of $5.9 Million through the Housing Accelerator Fund. Funding will be distributed in four allotments, over a three-year period, provided the Municipality achieves the targets of the Approved Action Plan. Through the program the Municipality aims for the construction of 220 additional new residential units over our typical development rate.

The Municipality remains committed to encouraging our communities to grow in sustainable ways by enabling the development of diverse housing forms, types and tenures.

Current Progress

About the Housing Accelerator Fund

The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is a federal program through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) that provides funding to local governments and Indigenous governments to create more housing. The fund aims to support municipalities, through funding and resources in the development of communities that are affordable, inclusive, equitable, diverse and climate-resilient.

The Municipality’s Action Plan

To meet the needs of the diverse communities within our boundaries, the Municipality’s Action Plan commits to 7 local project initiatives that intend to enable, incentivize and promote a variety of housing forms.

Project Initiative #1: Encourage construction of Accessory Dwelling Units

Project Initiative #2: Allowing increased housing density (missing middle)

Project Initiative #3: Promotion of alternative forms of housing

Project Initiative #4: Streamline issuance of permits through upgraded and enhanced permit software and processes

Project Initiative #5: Provide and promote pre-approved building plans for Accessory Dwelling Units

Project Initiative #6: Partnering with or incentivizing non-profit housing providers to preserve and increase the stock of affordable housing

Project Initiative #7: Investigate & implement incentive and/or disincentive programs to encourage rapid development of new housing

Project Initiative #1: Encourage construction of Accessory Dwelling Units

The Municipality intends to amend our planning documents to enable the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) within our Growth Centres. ADUs allow a gentle increase in density within our existing low density residential zones. Following the amendments, the Municipality will reach out to provide information related to and promote the development of ADUs over various mediums.

Update: On October 3, 2023 amendments to the Land Use By-law were approved by Council to permit the development of an ADU on residential lots within the Municipality’s 12 Growth Centres. Through our bi-annual Tax Newsletter, monthly E-Newsletters and social media we continue to share information on the opportunities for ADUs with municipal residents.

Project Initiative #2: Allowing increased housing density (missing middle)

The Municipality intends to amend our planning documents to expand development permissions on low density lots without the expansion of municipally owned infrastructure. Amendments would also focus on changes to the permissions within our medium and high density zones to increase housing density.

Update: On October 3, 2023 amendments to the Land Use By-law were approved by Council to permit the development of Grouped Dwellings within the R2 Zone. On March 15, 2024 amendments were approved to increase the permitted number of units per dwelling within the R3 zone from 8 to 12 and increase the permitted number of units per dwelling within the R4 zone from 16 to no limit. Review of building permit statistics, development inquiries and development patterns will be ongoing to ensure our regulations continue to encourage and support development.

Project Initiative # 3: Promotion of alternative forms of housing

Modular, manufactured and pre-fabricated housing units can be a quick and cost effective alternative to traditional construction. Through this action item, the Municipality intends to promote the use of these alternative forms of housing.

Update: A Promotions & Education Plan has been developed. Through our bi-annual Tax Newsletter, monthly E-Newsletters and social media we have and will continue to share information on the opportunities for alternative forms of housing with municipal residents.

Project Initiative #4: Streamline issuance of permits through upgraded and enhanced permit software and processes

The Municipality intends to improve permitting and inspection operations, both internally and public-facing, by updating the permit software. These changes will streamline the permit and inspection processes, enhance customer support and enable improved information sharing.

Project Initiative #5: Provide and promote pre-approved building plans for Accessory Dwelling Units

To reduce the barriers on construction, including reduced design and approval timelines, the Municipality intends to draft and make publicly available pre-approved building plans for ADUs. Through various publication avenues, the Municipality will advise our residents of the availability of the plans and provide a How-to Guide to help homeowners with their project.

Update: Our building plans are still in the design phase and not quite ready for you. Check out our How-to Guide for helpful information and considerations for developing an ADU.

Project Initiative #6: Partnering with or incentivizing non-profit housing providers to preserve and increases the stock of affordable housing

By exploring options of tax exemptions or similar incentives, the Municipality intends to encourage non-profit organizations to enter into the rental housing market. The intent of this action item would be to increase the number of available affordable housing units within our Municipality.

Project Initiative #7: Investigate & implement incentive and/or disincentive programs to encourage rapid development of new housing

Through this action item the Municipality intends to explore incentive programs for such things as affordable housing, ADUs and low carbon & climate resilient communities. Underdeveloped, idle lands and unit vacancies will be explored for possible incentive and disincentive programs.

Resources:

Municipal Housing Needs Assessment (Kings)

Nova Scotia Action for Housing