Winnipeg strikes deal with Housing Accelerator Fund

Key Takeaways:

• The City of Winnipeg is one of the latest cities to strike a deal the Housing Accelerator Fund.
• The fund will provide the city with $122M to implement a seven-point plan. 
• The plan includes zoning changes, incentive programs, creating a land enhancement office and creating a city concierge for affordable housing. 

The Whole Story:

The Government of Canada and the City of Winnipeg have reached an agreement to fast track 3,166 housing units over the next three years. Officials say this will help fast-track the construction of more than 15,000 homes over the next decade.

The agreement under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), will provide $122 million to eliminate barriers to building the housing. Winnipeg’s Action Plan commits to seven local initiatives that enable a variety of housing forms and densities. 

The funding will allow for rapid zoning by-law amendments and amendments to local area plans. It will support incentive programs promoting multi-family housing downtown and on corridors, the establishment of a land enhancement office, and the creation of a city concierge for affordable housing. It will also provide infrastructure support to increase residential development and digitize and facilitate faster development and permit approvals.

HAF’s goal is to help cut red tape and fast track at least 100,000 permitted new homes over the first three years, which cities and regions estimate will lead to the creation of over 250,000 permitted new homes for people in towns, cities, and Indigenous communities across Canada over the next decade. 

It asks for innovative action plans from local governments, and once approved, provides upfront funding to ensure the timely building of new homes, as well as additional funds upon delivering results. Local governments are encouraged to think big and be bold in their approaches, which could include accelerating project timelines, allowing increased housing density, and encouraging affordable housing units.

“Today’s announcement will help fast track 3,166 homes in the next three years and over 15,000 homes over the next decade,” said Sean Fraser, minister of housing. “By working with cities, mayors, and all levels of government, we are helping to get more homes built for Canadians at prices they can afford.”