Comprehensive Housing Strategy Public Feedback Event April 18, 2013
Outline Why a housing strategy? City s role in housing Summary of consultant s report and City Administration s recommendations Issues, goals, key strategies Next steps Questions
Process Need for a Strategy Changing population growth trends and housing market conditions, coupled with a changing policy landscape, resulted in the City of Regina identifying the need for a Comprehensive Housing Strategy. The purpose of the Strategy is to better align programs and assets with current and future housing needs, to coordinate with the new policies and programs of the Province, and to determine where the best areas are to stimulate and regulate the housing market.
Process Strategy Development Consultant studied the housing needs and issues along the full continuum of housing, from homelessness to homeownership, through 5 phases of work: Phase 1: Background Review Phase 2: Issue Identification Phase 3: Policy, Incentive and Strategy Development Phase 4: Evaluation of Alternatives Phase 5: Comprehensive Housing Strategy Input from representatives from all aspects of housing continuum (19 members of the Stakeholder Consultation Group) as well as a broader group of interested and informed parties
Stakeholder Input to Date Regina Housing Authority Canadian Housing and Mortgage Association Regina and Region Homebuilders Association Namerind Housing Saskatchewan Rental Housing Industry Association Association of Regina Realtors Regina Open Door Society Habitat for Humanity South Saskatchewan Independent Living Centre Ehrlo Community Services Carmichael Outreach Saskatchewan Social Services - Housing Division and Community Living Service Delivery Eden Care Communities Prairie Lodge Urban Housing Corp YMCA Regina North Central Community Association McNab Community Association Lakeview Community Association All Nations Hope AIDS Network Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry Regina Qu Appelle Health Region Soul s Harbour Rescue Mission YMCA Men s Residence Wichihik Safe House (WISH) Salvation Army - Waterston Centre, Grace Haven and Gemma House Regina Transition Women s Society Cornwall Village Co-op Senior Housing HELP Homes of Regina Canadian Mental Health Association North Saskatchewan Independent Living Centre Saskatchewan Abilities Council Saskatchewan Alternative Initiatives Saskatchewan Association for Community Living Cheshire Homes Chip and Dale Housing Huston Heights Four Directions Primary Care Silver Sage Housing Corporation Regina Treaty Status Indian Services Mobile Crisis Services Regina Senior Citizens Centre United Way Rainbow Youth Centre University of Regina Students Union Albert Scott Community Centre Celebration Lutheran Church YWCA My Aunt s Place, Isabel Johnson Women s Shelter, and Kikinaw Women s Only Residence AIDS Program South Saskatchewan Street Culture Kidz Indian Métis Christian Fellowship North Central Family Centre Street Project Turgeon International Hostel Regina Food Bank St. Paul s Cathedral Marian Centre
City s Role in Housing REGULATION and POLICY Land use planning Health and safety bylaws and enforcement EDUCATION Facilitate and support, create and participate in partnerships
City s Role in Housing FINANCIAL Targeted incentives City-owned land ADVOCACY Work with other levels of government
City s Role in Housing The City DOES NOT: Build housing of any type Manage housing of any type Regulate the activity of landlords or rental owners (other than property maintenance)
Summary of Comprehensive Housing Strategy Key Issues 1. Supply of rental and affordable housing 2. Condition of existing housing stock 3. Diversity of housing options, including housing for distinct and special needs groups 4. Access to services and amenities needed to create complete communities and sustainable neighbourhoods 5. Immediate action is required, but the City cannot address the issues on its own
Summary of Comprehensive Housing Strategy - Goals 1. Increase the supply of rental and affordable housing 2. Retain and regenerate existing housing stock 3. Increase the diversity of housing options, including housing for distinct and special needs groups 4. Address housing needs while creating complete communities and sustainable neighbourhoods 5. Implementation and working together
Summary of Comprehensive Housing Strategy Key Strategies Strategies are grouped into: Program/Financial (6) Regulatory (16) Education (4) Advocacy (3) and Implementation (7)
Summary of Housing Strategy Administration s Recommendations Administration recommends implementing 29 of the 36 strategies, further consideration of 6 strategies and removing one strategy Strategies recommended for implementation Strategies recommended for further consideration Strategies deemed unfeasible Strategies 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36 Strategies 4, 8, 14, 17, 20, 32 Strategy 18
Review of Key Strategies A review of key strategies that have been the basis of public feedback and inquiry. Strategy 1 Refine current tax and capital incentives Changes to the current Housing Policy will focus on affordable rental and homeownership units. Not all elements of Strategy 1 from the consultant s report will be implemented.
Key Strategies Strategy 5 - Alternative Development Standards Allows the City to create development standards for parcels, areas or neighbourhoods to encourage a diversity of housing and other development or sustainability measures.
Review of Key Strategies Strategy 17 Policies in the OCP for targets by type, density, tenure and affordability; an intensification target and vacancy rate target The City will consider citywide density targets with the Official Community Plan and a vacancy rate target of 3%. Strategy 18 Targets at a neighbourhood scale The City will not pursue because of challenge of implementation at the neighbourhood scale.
Key Strategies Strategy 8 - Density Bonusing and Transfer of Development Rights Density Bonusing and Transfer of Development Rights provide alternatives for developers to provide affordable or special needs housing, by allowing additional density on a lot, or transferring density from a nearby lot that is not built out. Strategy requires additional consideration.
Key Strategies Strategy 15 Single-Room Occupancy and rooming houses This strategy would clarify definitions of SRO and rooming houses. Strategy is to create purpose-built, small residential units.
Key Strategies Strategies 4 and 16 - Rezoning and Zoning Bylaw changes In order to accommodate housing diversity, strategies would facilitate rezoning of sites to accommodate housing or mixed-use projects where appropriate. Strategy would initiate development in areas suitable for growth.
Key Strategies Strategies 3 and 25 Secondary suites and pilot projects Secondary suites are currently allowed in existing homes. Strategy would consider new types of suites, such as over garages on a case-by-case basis. Strategy encourages work with the development community to create prototypes and pilot projects, and to assess and evaluate initiatives that might be applicable on a broader scale.
Next Steps Public input will be gathered via: DESIGNREGINA.CA (housing section of website) Today s event Public input shared with Council on April 29 with review of Housing Strategy and Administration s Recommendations Mayor s Housing Summit on May 13 and 14 With Council direction, Administration will develop an Implementation Plan Implementation Plan brought to Council June 10 th Implementation to begin following Council approval.
Questions? Feedback