Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan
Government of Canada and City of Saskatoon announce an agreement to fast track 940 housing units over the next three years.
Please read the full press release here:
Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan Information Page
For full details on the changes to the Official Community Plan (OCP) and Zoning Bylaw that are going forward as part of the Housing Accelerator Action Plan:
- 4 dwelling units per site in all residential zoning districts: saskatoon.ca/HAF - "Four Units/Site" tab
- Multiple unit residential development within 800 metres of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations: saskatoon.ca/HAF - "Multi Storey in TDA" tab
- Streamlining zoning regulations for Residential Care Homes: saskatoon.ca/engage/RCH
- Also being considered - amendments for Corridor Land Use: saskatoon.ca/engage/corridor-land-use-and-rezoning
Background
In May 2023, City Council approved the Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan. The Action Plan outlines 13 initiatives the City will undertake to meet our commitments under the Housing Accelerator Fund application. On November 23, 2023, Council approved additions to the Action Plan including permitting up to four units on all residential sites, permitting four storey development close to rapid transit, and removing parking requirements close to rapid transit.
On February 28, the Government of Canada announced that $41.3 million will be provided to the City of Saskatoon under the Housing Accelerator Fund to fast track 940 housing units over the next three years. See full news release.
HAF Incentives
At the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services meeting on May 8, 2024, the proposed HAF incentive programs were considered, which included:
- Funding to support new affordable housing units through Council Policy C09-002, Innovative Housing Incentives Policy (Housing Incentives Policy);
- Funding to support multiple unit dwellings in priority growth areas; and
- Funding to support housing development on City-owned land.
The proposed incentives will be presented to City Council for approval on May 29, 2024.
View report presented to PDCS committee: Housing Accelerator Fund - Incentives
View Incentives Presentation (PDF)
Learn more about the incentives criteria and anticipated process (PDF)
13 Housing Action Plan Initiatives
The 13 initiatives approved through the City's Housing Action Plan are listed below.
Initiative 1: Accelerate Housing Development in the Downtown
The Downtown Event and Entertainment District Plan will implement land use and zoning amendments and public realm enhancements intended to promote housing development in the City's Downtown.
The new Downtown Event and Entertainment District will bring new life and energy to Downtown by incorporating a mix of uses that support a complete community. A vibrant Downtown attracts more people to live Downtown by creating a sense of community that provides a place for people to come together. For more information, please visit the Downtown Event & Entertainment District page.
Milestone | Planned Completion Date |
---|---|
1. Approval of Downtown Development Funding Strategy | To be considered by Council July 31, 2024 |
2. Approval of Downtown Plan | To be considered by Council Sept. 25, 2024 |
Initiative 2: Implement new Corridor Zoning Districts
New corridor zoning districts enabling Transit-Oriented Development were introduced as part of the Corridor Planning Program in July 2023. The City will be implementing these new zoning districts by rezoning properties within the Corridor Areas to provide for development as-of-right.
This initiative supports the objectives of the HAF by creating a zoning framework for development in proximity to the City's planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. This change will help shift the balance of development towards infill which supports climate resilience, will help to support transit and our city to grow in a more efficient way, thereby providing for affordable, inclusive, equitable and diverse communities. For more information, please visit the Corridor Land Use and Rezoning and Station Mixed Use Rezoning pages.
Milestone | Planned Completion Date |
---|---|
1. Identify properties to be rezoned | Complete. Properties which have the land use designation of "Station Mixed Use" are eligible for the opt-in rezoning process. |
2. Rezone properties to Corridor Zoning Districts | Station Mixed Use Rezoning for opt-in properties to be considered by Council July 31, 2024 |
Initiative 3: Reduce Parking Requirements
Reduce parking requirements with a focus on affordable housing development and remove parking requirements within the Corridor Growth Area. For more information, please visit the Minimum Parking Requirements page.
Milestone | Planned Completion Date |
---|---|
1. Reduce or eliminate parking requirements near rapid transit bus routes | To be considered by Council July 31, 2024 |
2. Amend affordable housing parking regulations | To be considered by Council July 31, 2024 |
3. Amend general parking regulations | To be considered by Council July 31, 2024 |
Initiative 4: Remove Barriers to Accessory Dwellings Development
Propose Zoning Bylaw amendments for accessory dwellings to remove barriers.
The amendments to the Zoning Bylaw will promote accessory dwelling units in existing neighbourhoods which help to limit sprawl and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing for new units in areas with existing infrastructure. For more information, please visit saskatoon.ca/HAF and click on the "Accessory Dwelling Units" tab.
Milestone | Planned Completion Date |
---|---|
1. Identify barriers for accessory dwelling units | Completed. Amendments to remove barriers were considered by City Council on April 24, 2024. |
2. Zoning amendments for accessory dwelling units | Approved by Council April 24, 2024 |
3. Amend infill regulations and guidelines for Established Neighbourhoods | To be completed mid-2025 |
Initiative 5: Streamline Supportive Housing Zoning Bylaw Regulations
Develop a standardized and consistent approach for supportive housing zoning regulations as well as identify and potentially implement tools that would enable additional flexibility for these uses.
Supportive housing has many community benefits and is integral to building complete communities. Supportive housing provides on-site support to ensure people can achieve and maintain housing stability and have the choice to live in neighbourhoods they have a connection with. For more information, please visit saskatoon.ca/engage/RCH.
Milestone | Planned Completion Date |
---|---|
1. Identify potential supportive housing amendments | Completed |
2. Zoning amendments for supportive housing | Amendments to Residential Care Homes to be considered by Council June 26, 2024 |
Initiative 6: Create a New Development Incentives Program
Create a new development incentives program that aligns with the City's priorities for growth and development.
This initiative supports the objectives of the HAF by creating incentives for developments that align with the City's priorities including affordable housing, missing middle development along rapid transit corridors, development of the Downtown into a complete community and brownfield redevelopment. For more information, see the "HAF Incentives" section above on this page and refer to this approval report.
Milestone | Planned Completion Date |
---|---|
1. Incentive program for affordable housing | To be considered by Council May 29, 2024 for launch in June 2024 |
2. Incentive program for other housing development | To be considered by Council May 29, 2024 for launch in 2025 |
Initiative 7: Develop a Disincentive Program for Underutilized Properties
Saskatoon Fire is exploring a bylaw which will disincentivize vacant lots/underutilized properties. The goal is to help with the availability and affordability of housing stock on the market by creating a disincentive for homeowners to keep their properties vacant for the long term.
Vacant and derelict properties have the capacity to negatively impact and damage the quality of surrounding neighbourhoods and communities. The development of these sites can act as a catalyst in revitalization. It can help make these areas attractive places to live, work and socialize in, supporting economic and social growth and contributing to the creation of more sustainable communities.
Milestone | Planned Completion Date |
---|---|
1. Research options for bylaw approach for Saskatoon | Completed |
2. Approval of new bylaw | To be considered by Council June 26, 2024 |
Initiative 8: Co-locating Fire Halls and Housing
Saskatoon Fire is exploring options to co-locate new fire halls with affordable housing and/or supportive housing.
This initiative supports the HAF objectives by optimizing the use of land through co-location of housing and fire halls. These new units would be for affordable housing and/or supportive housing.
Milestone | Planned Completion Date |
---|---|
1. Site selection | To be completed June 2024 |
2. Budget approval for new fire halls | To be considered by Council December 2024 |
Initiative 9: Development of City-Owned Properties
This initiative will focus on increasing the supply of affordable housing in strategic areas by developing City-owned properties with a focus on providing affordable housing options.
By developing properties that are in City ownership, focus can be on developing properties that support City and Housing Accelerator Fund priorities. Development of these properties will be focused on increasing the supply of affordable housing.
Milestone | Planned Completion Date |
---|---|
1. Site selection | Report considered by Council March 27, 2024 |
2. Issuance of final building permit | To be completed by August 2026 |
Initiative 10: Partnering with Housing Providers to Preserve and Increase the Stock of Affordable Housing
Create opportunities to embed partnerships, reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion to support housing providers in preserving and increasing the stock of affordable housing. This work will be supported through the development of the Housing Strategy.
Building and elevating partnerships with housing providers and other stakeholders can yield innovative approaches that create more affordable housing options for residents. Creating more housing options helps create inclusive communities and adds to the overall health and wellbeing of City residents. Further, increasing housing options helps reduce demand on emergency services, hospitals and other facilities by providing stable and affordable housing options for those most in need.
Milestone | Planned Completion Date |
---|---|
1. Approval of Housing Strategy | To be considered by Council Q3 2024 |
Initiative 11: Accelerate the Development of Complex Care Housing Through Partnerships
Partner with all levels of government and community partners to develop complex care housing. This work will be supported through the development of the Housing Strategy.
Complex care housing provides an enhanced level of integrated health and social supports for vulnerable populations. Increasing complex care housing options helps reduce demand on emergency services, hospitals, shelters and other facilities by providing stable housing options for those most in need.
Milestone | Planned Completion Date |
---|---|
1. Partnerships for development of transitional and supportive housing | December 2024 |
2. Site selection and plan approvals | August 2026 |
Initiative 12: Encourage Missing Middle Housing
At its meeting in November 2023, City Council approved the addition of this initiative. Two milestones are included in this initiative:
- The first milestone of this initiative would be to initiate the process to amend the Zoning Bylaw to permit four units as-of-right city-wide. For more information, please visit saskatoon.ca/HAF and click on the "Four Units/Site" tab.
- The second milestone would be to initiate the process to amend the Zoning Bylaw to allow for multiple-unit development within 800 metres of the BRT corridors as-of-right (within the "Transit Development Area"). For more information, visit saskatoon.ca/HAF and click on the "Multi Storey in TDA" tab.
The City will also be reviewing the current infill zoning regulations. This project is anticipated to be completed by mid-2025.
Milestone | Planned Completion Date |
---|---|
1. Amend Zoning Bylaw to permit four units as-of-right city-wide | To be considered by Council June 26, 2024 |
2. Amend Zoning Bylaw to allow multiple-unit development in the Transit Development Area | To be considered by Council June 26, 2024 |
Initiative 13: Increase Housing Density near Post-Secondary Institutions
At its meeting in November 2023, City Council approved the addition of this initiative.
Administration will work to increase housing density within walking distance of post-secondary institutions by partnering with the University of Saskatchewan to develop student housing in the College Quarter development area.
Milestone | Planned Completion Date |
---|---|
1. Partnership for College Quarter development | August 2026 |
Initiatives not approved by federal government to be part of the City's HAF application
- Implement new High-Density Mixed-Use Land Use Designation in the Official Community Plan.
- Implement changes to development approval processes for affordable housing projects that are consistent with the Official Community Plan.
Feedback
Please email zoningbylaw@saskatoon.ca if you have any questions or wish to share any feedback.