DATE: December 8, 2014 REPORT NO. PHSSS Housing Development Coordinator 1.0 TYPE OF REPORT CONSENT ITEM [ ] ITEM FOR CONSIDERATION [ X ]

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1 DATE: December 8, 2014 REPORT NO. PHSSS TO: FROM: PREPARED BY: Mayor Friel and Members of City Council Jo Atanas, General Manger Public Health, Safety & Social Services Jamie Stephens Housing Development Coordinator 1.0 TYPE OF REPORT CONSENT ITEM [ ] ITEM FOR CONSIDERATION [ X ] 2.0 TOPIC Lanewood Development Corporation has requested Council s support in submitting a Small Community Fund Application for an Affordable Housing Grant to create 156 new affordable rental housing units [Financial Impact None] (PHSSS ) 3.0 RECOMMENDATION A. THAT City Council SUPPORTS the proposed affordable housing development located at Grand River Avenue, Brantford which will create 156 new affordable rental housing units; and B. THAT the City of Brantford IS COMMITTED to brownfield remediation and redevelopment as a significant aspect of municipal policy. Public Health, Safety and Social Services - Housing 220 Colborne Street, P.O. Box 845 Brantford, ON N3T 5R7 Phone: Fax:

2 Date: December 8, 2014 Page PURPOSE To seek Council s approval to support the proposed affordable housing project located at Grand River Avenue, Brantford and owned by Lanewood Development Corporation. 5.0 BACKGROUND This report is of an urgent nature and is presented directly to City Council. The report did not channel through the regular cycle of being presented to the Social Services Committee due to the stringent provincial deadline of December 19th established for the Small Community Fund Application for Affordable Housing Grant. On November 6 th, 2014, Lanewood Development Corporation received written correspondence from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs informing the proponent that their project proposal has been selected to move forward to the application phase of the Small Communities Fund (SCF). The proponent has until Friday, December 19 th to complete and submit an application. The completed application must be accompanied by a council resolution in support of the project in order for the application to be considered complete. On November 6, 2014, an agent representing Lanewood Development Corporation sent a written request to the Mayor s office seeking assistance in obtaining the provincially required Council resolution to support an affordable housing grant application. The request was received during lame duck and therefore it was suggested the agent complete a form to be a delegation at a Special Council meeting. Staff has prepared this report in an effort to outline the proposed affordable housing project. Project Description: The proposed project is a brownfield site known as Grand River Avenue. The brownfield site is located in a flood plain, has been used as industrial lands for over a century and laid dormant for the past two decades. Address: Grand River Avenue Unit type: apartment and townhome Number of units: 156 Zoning: Flood-Residential High Density Zone Exception 3, limiting the apartments to 132 units and 24 townhomes Site remediation is required due to environmental contaminations Amount of provincial funding requested: $4,425,009.35

3 Date: December 8, 2014 Page 3 Amount of federal funding requested: $4,425, Total project costs: $20,938, Project start date: Construction start date: Project completion date: Housing background: In October, 2013, City Council approved The 10 Year Brantford-Brant Housing Stability Plan. The Plan affirms the need for an additional 180 affordable housing units per year in order to meet the projected population growth and community housing needs. Recommendation 1.4 of the 10 Year Plan states continue to monitor the affordable housing targets (180 new residential units/year, through the annual Residential Monitoring Report), and include reference to specific tenure targets (85% affordable rental and 15% affordable ownership). In addition, the City of Brantford s Official Plan section sets an affordable housing construction target of 180 new units annually with a distribution of 85% rental and 15% homeownership. It should be noted that 440 affordable rental housing units were constructed between 2006 and 2014; however, the annual 180 unit target has not been achieved to date. It should be noted that if Lanewood Development Corporation receives provincial funding approval, the project is also subject to the Planning Act approval process. As well, Development Charges By-Law section indicates the development charges shall not apply to development that creates affordable housing dwelling units, including affordable housing dwelling units located within a mixed-use development, that meet the definition of affordable housing and all criterion as outlined in the City of Brantford Municipal Housing Facilities By-law No , as amended. It is anticipated that if proponent is successful in securing provincial program funding then a development charges exemption application will be submitted to the municipality. Should this occur, then a feasibility study will be required to ensure financial viability of the project and corporate viability of Lanewood Development Corporation. The Housing Department would present Council with another report seeking authorization to exempt the development charges and enter into a 20 year Municipal Housing Facilities Agreement for the value of the development charge exemption.

4 Date: December 8, 2014 Page CORPORATE POLICY CONTEXT Excellence In Governance & Municipal Management: Brantford will engage its citizens through open and transparent communications, and be recognized as a well-managed city that provides efficient and effective government services while remaining fiscally responsible. High Quality of Life and Caring for all Citizens Develop and coordinate partnerships with community organizations and other levels of government to address the support needs of those most in need. 7.0 INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES Planning Department 8.0 ANALYSIS If the proposed affordable housing project receives provincial funding approval, and then receives the required Planning Act approvals, there is a potential to increase affordable, rental housing stock by 156 units. There is also the potential for development charges exemption application to be submitted to the municipality. 9.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS None CONCLUSION Housing staff recommend that Council support Lanewood Development Corporation s Small Community Fund application for an Affordable Housing Grant for a multi-residential dwelling located at Grand River Avenue, Brantford.

5 Date: December 8, 2014 Page 5 Jamie Stephens Housing Development Coordinator Housing Services Jo Cupoli-Atanas, General Manager Public Health, Safety & Social Services Attachments: None Copy: Not applicable In adopting this report, is a by-law or agreement required? If so, it should be referenced in the recommendation section. By-law required [ ] yes [ X ] no Agreement(s) or other documents to be signed by Mayor and/or City Clerk [ ] yes [ X ] no Is the necessary by-law or agreement being sent concurrently to Council? [ ] yes [ X ] no