Yorkton Council has a new 130-page Community Housing Plan as a guide after unanimously approving the document at its regular meeting Monday.
鈥淭he Yorkton Housing Committee and City Administration have been working to update the City鈥檚 Community Housing Plan, which was last completed in 2011. With grant funding from CMHC and Saskatchewan Housing ($10,000 each), the City was able to contract Preferred Choice Development Strategists to deliver the new Plan,鈥� detailed a report circulated to Council, from Michael Eger, Director of Planning, Building & Development.
Key Findings of the four-part process:
*Interview respondents (community-based organizations) believe the existing Housing Plan has been effective, but there are still deficiencies that need to be addressed.
*Affordability is a significant barrier to attain adequate housing.
*The gap in housing is decreasing modestly, but there is still real need across a variety of demographics which demonstrates the need for 1,478 housing units over the next 10 years, comprising of 1,104 owner dwelling units, 140 tenant rental units, 159 affordable rental units and 75 student affordable rental units. Significant housing needs created by growth in Senior, Aboriginal, Immigrant and Student populations.
*A defined strategy is required to help achieve housing targets.
The research and consultation carried out by Preferred Choice Development Strategists will serve as an essential tool to help the community identify gaps in the housing continuum, offered Eger.
The Community Housing Plan, if approved by Council, will:
鈥� guide land use regulations, and civic policies and initiatives;
鈥� prioritize public and private land development;
鈥� focus government funding and financial incentives to where it is most-needed;
鈥� ensure funding/grant opportunities are realized;
*increase Developer confidence by identifying housing markets with known and quantifiable gaps; and
鈥� strengthen Developers鈥� ability to attract investors and low-cost financing.
The Housing Plan was reviewed by the Housing Committee at their December 8, 2015 meeting. The Committee passed a motion recommending that Council approve the Housing Plan
