Halifax Will Get $8.7-Million For Affordable Housing, But It Must Build Quickly
HALIFAX – The city of Halifax has just qualified for $ 8.7-million in federal funding for much-needed affordable housing. On October 27, the federal government announced a $1-billion fund, called the Rapid Housing Initiative, with the goal of creating 3,000 affordable housing units across Canada. Cities are allowed to use the money in a variety of ways to create the units.
“The RHI will quickly develop new modular multi-unit rentals, convert non-residential buildings into affordable multi-residential homes, and rehabilitate buildings that are abandoned or in disrepair into affordable multi-residential homes,” states a federal government press release. “Costs to purchase land and buildings will also be eligible under the new initiative.
Halifax Mayor Mike Savage stressed that time is of the essence for the city to take advantage of the funds. As the name “Rapid Housing Initiative” suggests, the goal is to create these units as quickly as possible. And the federal government has deadlines the city must meet.
“We need to work with partners like the Housing and Homelessness partnership, possibly United Way, and other affordable housing organizations,” said Savage.
“We only have a month to figure this piece out and we have to have a plan into the federal government before the beginning of December. And the projects have to be completed in a year as well. We’re not like some cities that have a mandate for affordable housing, who have a list of projects they’re working on…we have to do this very quickly.”
Halifax is one of several cities in Canada where affordable housing is needed immediately. Between 2016-2019 the city reported increased growth year after year. In 2019 alone, nearly 10,000 new people moved into the city. Most of the growth came from international immigration.
Developers in Halifax have been building new apartment units and condos at a rapid pace as well. Over the next several years, it’s estimated that more than 4,000 new residential units will be constructed in the city. But those units won’t be constructed immediately and, when they are, many working-class people will not be able to afford them.
Halifax also just had a municipal election, with several new councilors winning seats who support the construction of more affordable housing. Savage said the councilors will need to be sworn in soon, then decide how the $8.7-million will be best spent.
“I expect that our staff and our planning department will be communicating with our councilors, many of whom are not yet sworn in,” said Savage.
“The good news is there are so many great partners out in the community. It’s a great opportunity …I’m already getting calls from people saying, ‘look, I have a project that might qualify.’”
The rental situation in Halifax has also caused many to demand rent control in Nova Scotia. Some are being faced with steep rent increases and feel helpless to fight it. Rent control is a provincial jurisdiction, not municipal, but when asked for his opinion Savage said rent control is problematic.
“The problem with rent control is that it doesn’t build new stock and it doesn’t encourage maintenance on existing stock,” he said. “So the province can figure that piece out. What I know is we have an immediate need in Halifax for new, decent, affordable, housing.”