C-K to seek federal housing funding

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By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Chatham-Kent officials are hoping for success in the municipality’s second attempt at accessing money from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation Housing Accelerator Fund.

The application, which came before council last week, required council to approve several recommendations including allowing four units to be created on every fully serviced urban lot up from the three units currently allowed.

According to a staff report, the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is an application-based program introduced in the 2022 federal budget and is administered by the CMHC. It had an initial funding allocation of $4 billion until 2026-27 and one application window in 2023. The Municipality of Chatham-Kent applied for the initial round in 2023 but was unsuccessful.

However, an additional $400 million in funding was made available in the federal budget, and officials are hoping to access some of the cash.

According to Chatham-Kent housing development director Ray Harper, the goal of the accelerator fund is to spur the supply of housing across Canada. However, he said that every application that gets approval has “certain agreements” attached to it, including a financial commitment from the municipality.

Ryan Jacques, head of planning services for Chatham-Kent, said the money is being offered “in exchange” for certain land-use planning changes.

“These grants are available to municipalities to be put towards capital expenditures, such as provision of affordable housing or growth-related infrastructure upgrades such as major water and waste water facilities,” Jacques told council.

“In most urban properties today, zoning exists, and has long existed, which allows three units per property,” Jacques said.

He pointed out that any existing housing unit today can add up to three units as outlined by the province in 2023.

At least one councillor took issue with voting on the application. North Kent’s Rhonda Jubenville said the application is “not fully transparent.” adding there are many unknowns.

“I’ll just be honest, it scares me, it really does,” Jubenville said, noting it could potentially “change” the landscape of Chatham-Kent.

Jubenville said she didn’t understand why the government wants C-K to permit four units per dwelling, when it already allows three.

“I just think there’s a deeper agenda…I don’t support it,” she said.

In response to a question from North Kent Coun. Jamie McGrail, Jacques said any new units would still have to comply with the municipality’s existing rules.

West Kent Coun. Melissa Harrigan said that while she appreciated the concerns that were expressed, she’s looking at the “big picture,” meaning more housing will be created in Chatham-Kent.

Council approved the application 16 to 1, with Jubenville as the lone dissenting vote.

It’s unknown when the federal government will announce funding approvals, however, Harper said it should happen in the near future and will be immediately reported to council.

Council also approved a zoning change that will permit four units per property. This comes back before council Feb. 24 for a public meeting.

A draft bylaw outlining the zoning changes will be presented to council at the Jan. 27 meeting.

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