Deal between Ottawa, HRM said to fast-track 2,600 homes

A new deal between the federal government and the Halifax Regional Municipality will reportedly fast-track the construction of thousands of housing units.

The federal government announced the agreement on Thursday, which, under the Housing Accelerator Fund, will spend more than $79.3 million to cut down on barriers to building housing. Halifax will help reduce permitting costs and incentivize the use of pre-approved building plans.

"Whether you're a growing family looking for a three-bedroom apartment in Dartmouth, a displaced senior wanting to stay in our community, or a couple looking to buy your first condo—I want you to know that we are working together with the Halifax Regional Municipality so that you and your family can live and thrive here,” said Darren Fisher, MP for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, in a news release Thursday. “Safe and reliable housing a human right, and today's announcement will get more homes built faster in Dartmouth-Cole Harbour and across our municipality."

The government says the agreement will fast-track 2,600 housing units over the next three years and will help advance the construction of more than 8,866 homes in the next decade.

Halifax will allow for the construction of four residential units in one lot through the agreement, along with student rentals near post-secondary institutions.

"As one of the fastest growing cities in the country, our municipality has been focused on housing supply for years, and we welcome the opportunities this funding provides,” said Mike Savage, mayor of Halifax.

Savage noted that the HRM population grew by 20,000 people last year and it could grow by more than 30,000 this year.

"Based on that we’re going to need close to 20,000 new units," he said. "Units under permit is almost 11,000 right now."

Kate Green, HRM community planning director, said part of the Accelerator Fund could help them invest in other projects.

"We’ve been focussed on conversions of empty office, space, vacant office, space into residential, and there are projects underway right now, ideas that are being shaped that, if we had some money to invest in, we could probably bring them to fruition sooner so part of the housing Accelerator Fund is to invest in those projects directly and incentivize new growth," she said.

According to the federal government, the Housing Accelerator Fund, which launched in March, is a $4-billion initiative that will run until 2026-2027.

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