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Following several weeks of review and consultation, the City of Saint John is pleased to announce the recipients of the City’s Affordable Housing Grant Program. The program, aimed at increasing the number of affordable units in the community by incentivizing non-profit and private sector housing developers, is part of the City’s Affordable Housing Action Plan, and designed to make use of a one-time $800,000 Federal government and Regional Development Corporation funding allocation to the municipality.
“The launch of the Affordable Housing Grant Program gave the City an opportunity to focus even more effectively on finding solutions for affordable housing needs in our community,” says Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon. “We are fortunate to have a non-profit housing sector that understands the importance and urgency of addressing affordable housing and who are dedicated to making positive impacts that will help Saint John navigate the path to developing essential housing for those in need.
Recipients of the funding were chosen based on scoring by the Evaluation Committee. Two of the four projects are also being submitted for federal funding through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Rapid Housing Initiative, round three. The allocation of funds will commit $200,000 to each of the following four projects, ensuring the maximum total of $800,000 available is being accessed:
- Steepleview Developments, Inc. – 56 unit mixed-income housing that will include 28 affordable housing units located at 25 Cliff Street
- Kindredworks – 95 unit mixed-income housing that will include 38 affordable housing units located at 50 Newport Crescent
- Kaleidoscope Social Impact – 39 affordable housing units, located at 58 Broad Street/Broadview Avenue
- Rehabitat – 60 affordable housing units located on the West Side
As part of the funding criteria, developments were required to: be located in an area serviced by the City of Saint John; be within one kilometre of a transit stop (or within an Intensification Area as defined by the City’s Municipal Plan); be in compliance with the Zoning By-law/Municipal Plan; provide a building permit and proof of funding sources within 12 months of applying.
The Affordable Housing Action Plan has set a target that 30 per cent of all new construction will contain affordable housing units over the next five years. The City is committed to taking action and working with other levels of government and the non-profit housing sector to find solutions that will increase affordable housing development throughout the community.
Housing is the cornerstone of healthy neighbourhoods and individual well-being. Through its Affordable Housing Action Plan, the City of Saint John is being proactive to address the affordable housing crunch to ensure a strong, vibrant and growing community.
More information on the City’s Affordable Housing Action Plan can be found, HERE.
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