City getting $41.3M from feds to spur housing development
Saskatoon is getting its share of a federal fund meant to increase the supply of housing.
Federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development Randy Boissonnault was in Saskatoon on Wednesday to make the announcement of $41.3 million for the city through the Housing Accelerator Fund, a $4-billion initiative meant to help cities reform things like zoning and permitting processes with the goal of encouraging higher-density housing.
Saskatoon city staff applied to the fund in May 2023, submitting a 13-point proposal including ideas aimed at allowing more accessory dwellings like garage and garden suites, and allowing taller building heights for residential developments near transit.
Other points in the plan call for allowing fourplexes to be built on lots “as-of-right,” meaning they wouldn't require special approval, and a proposal to abolish minimum parking requirements for developments in corridor areas.
Boissonnault praised Saskatoon for having the fastest permitting process for new homes of any city in the country, while encouraging city officials to continue their efforts to cut red tape.
He said the housing accelerator fund is expected to “unlock” trillions of dollars in private investment across the country over the next several years, with the program to directly support the creation of 940 new housing units in Saskatoon over the next three years.
City staff have estimated that the deal will help encourage the construction of an additional 25,200 housing units over the next 10 years.
Mayor Charlie Clark suggested much of the drive to build higher-density homes is expected to occur along bus rapid transit lines likely to be built in coming years. Additional supply will also be part of long-term planning for the area around the University of Saskatchewan that will be home to the new campus for Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
While he said the drive to densification is expected to help solve problems related to a tight housing supply, Clark said developments won't be allowed to occur “all over the place, willy-nilly.”
Residents, Clark said, will still have the opportunity through public hearings to raise concerns about developments planned in their communities.
Karen Kobussen, senior director of strategy and growth for the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders' Association, said builders are “excited” and “ready to go,” and that with the funding in place, it's now a matter of getting industry and municipal representatives together to work out more details.
Cameron Choquette, CEO of the Saskatchewan Landlords' Association, said the funds announced Wednesday are welcome help in a city with vacancy rates around two per cent, but called for more to be done to incentivize purpose-built rental housing, suggesting this is the “best bang for your buck” when it comes to increasing housing density.