Population growth brings challenges
When I go door-to-door, I see Charlottetown’s current housing crisis first hand. People of all ages are caught in the crunch. I see young couples living with parents because there’s no affordable alternative, and families with children who can’t afford to rent a suitable place, and even if they could, there’s none available.
Buying a house is out of the question for many. Even tiny houses, or those in disrepair, are priced way above what they were even a year ago.
Charlottetown’s population is experiencing rapid growth and it is crucial that we meet the needs of a growing population. Affordable and available housing is key to a livable city. Without it, we risk losing our residential population. We need to take action immediately to ensure that housing options are available for our youth, families, seniors, newcomers and all city residents. Otherwise, they will leave the city.
The first task is to identify causes, and then develop solutions. I hear a lot about AirBnB rentals being a major cause of the current lack of options, and I also hear that the numbers of immigrants and also returning retirees are also increasing our population.
We welcome both our returning Islanders and our immigrant entrepreneurs. They help make our city the truly remarkable place that it is, a place with both a healthy economy and a relaxed and friendly ambience.
Complex challenges like this rarely have simple causes, or simple solutions. The advent of AirBnB has, in many cases, also allowed young people to purchase their first homes, as the rental income has enabled them to support a mortgage payment which otherwise would be out of reach.
So, what do we do? First, we listen. And then we work together. We need facts: how many AirBnBs exist? How are they affecting the rental market? Where are the vacancies which currently exist? How many people can’t find a spot, and what is their family and economic situation? How are other cities handling this issue?
Within 90 days of taking office, I will host a roundtable forum with developers and other stakeholders to determine how best to advance new residential development in the city.
New development is essential to meeting the housing needs of our growing population.
In addition, I will look at ways to streamline the planning and development process and improve efficiency for developers. Earlier this year, the City’s Youth Retention Advisory Committee released a report containing several recommendations about changes to zoning, parking and building codes to generate new development and renovation of existing buildings. I will begin a review of the zoning and development bylaws to identify amendments that could be made to encourage new development and the renovation of existing buildings.
I am passionate about making Charlottetown a vibrant city where people feel they belong and where all voices are heard.
A vibrant city offers housing options, a strong economy, jobs, affordability, green spaces, recreational and cultural opportunities, diversity, strong public engagement and a healthy environment.
We can solve this crunch together. We have examples of having done just that — like Abe Zakem House on Water Street. Twenty-two affordable housing units were built in 2005 by a partnership of the Kiwanis Club of Charlottetown, the City of Charlottetown, the Province of P.E.I., CMHC and CADC.
We have a roadmap, and we can do it again.