Canadian provinces show ingenuity in dealing with housing crisis
Let's look at ways to solve the housing problem with three recent examples.
The global housing crisis affecting Canadians no longer looks like an invincible monster. We've already covered the government's response to it, and today we're going to look at what provincial governments can do about it. You don't have to look far for examples — three recent news stories from three different provinces demonstrate the ingenuity of regional governments in dealing with the housing crisis.
Supporting those in need in Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation has invested CA$ 3.2 million in affordable social housing. The direct grant will go towards the rehabilitation of 370 existing housing units in the province, which will be completed by December 2023.
This generous investment is part of the government's 10-year National Housing Strategy worth over CA$ 82 million. The program supports the most vulnerable people in the community. On Oct. 3, 20 new housing units opened under its auspices here in Saskatchewan, more specifically in North Battleford: 18 three-bedroom and 2, four-bedroom semi-detached units. The province's attitude toward the strategy was succinctly expressed by Member of the Legislative Assembly Jeremy Cockrill:
"We recognize that safe and affordable housing contributes to the health and well-being of people in our province."
Tax rebates in Prince Edward Island
Authorities in this seaside province are following September's call by Justin Trudeau to announce a tax rebate program for new rental buildings.
The program will provide a full provincial HST rebate (10% harmonized sales tax) on rental housing projects of up to CA$ 35,000 each. The timeline for construction that can take advantage of the generous offer is set broadly: it must begin since September 14 this year, and be completed by the end of 2028. But also those projects that will be completed after the deadline will be able to qualify for the discount, only partially.
What's more, the rebate for new rental buildings can be used in conjunction with other housing support programs. And the provincial government is already in talks with Ottawa to simplify the application process for both builder and landlord rebate programs.
Provincial Housing Minister Rob Lantz succinctly articulated the interests the government is pursuing:
"The cost to build has become a significant roadblock to new housing developments that are affordable for residents. This rebate will help get new housing developments off the ground. We need to work together, and work quickly, to address our vacancy rates and create more housing options."
The program is designed for three years, after which the authorities will analyze the results and decide on its further fate.
Non-residential to residential conversions in Alberta
Another interesting idea came to the minds of officials in Edmonton, in the opposite part of Canada, a few years ago. The city is actively engaged in the process of converting unneeded office high-rises into residential apartments, and the first results can already be seen.
Already 30 of these downtown buildings have been converted from office skyscrapers to residences. Most are 15 or more years old, including the McLeod and Cambridge buildings and the Liberty Building on Jasper and 105th Street.
Edmonton council's urban planning committee will present a report this month detailing options for a new incentive program that could help developers more aggressively convert underutilized office towers into residential buildings.
This is how the municipal government addresses two problems at once — the post-pandemic vacant and more unnecessary commercial spaces, and, of course, the shortage of apartments in the capital city of Albera.
Refurbishment is not the easiest process because of the specific nature of office space. However, it can be much faster than building new housing units, so the government is busy developing a program to attract contractors. Alberta is looking to make working with unneeded buildings a win-win for developers — so that the whole city benefits in the end.
Aside from the obvious pluses, a second chance for downtown high-rises would also breathe life into Downtown itself, which has been significantly devastated since the COVID-19 pandemic.
