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:
The Government of Canada's Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) supports local governments in boosting housing supply. It is intended to drive transformational change within the control of local governments, with regard to land use planning and development approvals. Most of these changes will happen gradually over time as it will be up to landowners to decide if they want to rezone and develop their land.
Government of Canada - Housing Accelerator Fund
Saskatoon's Housing Action Plan outlines 13 initiatives the City will undertake to meet our commitments under the Housing Accelerator Fund. Saskatoon City Council approved the Action Plan in May 2023, with additions approved in November 2023.
To view all the initiatives for the Housing Action Plan, please visit saskatoon.ca/housingactionplan. We've also created a summary document outlining the HAF initiatives.
What is the goal of the Housing Accelerator Fund?
The Housing Accelerator Fund seeks to increase the supply of housing by requiring municipalities to undertake transformational initiatives in local land use planning and development approvals. Two key concepts of the program are to:
Encourage Missing Middle Housing
Missing middle housing can be defined as the gap between single family homes and mid-rise apartment buildings – up to four storeys. Missing middle housing adds housing options that can be more affordable to more people.
End Exclusionary Zoning
Exclusionary zoning is a type of regulation that excludes or does not permit certain types of housing or uses. It can preserve certain character defining elements of a neighbourhood but can also result in economic and social segregation by increasing the cost of housing, making it unaffordable for some.
Zoning Bylaw and Official Community Plan (OCP) Amendments
City Council has directed Administration to bring forward Zoning Bylaw amendments on these initiatives in the first half of 2024. The tabs above give more detail about each specific initiative.
This webpage currently includes information about Amendment Package 1. Information about Amendment Package 2 is forthcoming.
Amendment Package 1
March 2024 (Municipal Planning Commission) | April 2024 (City Council Public Hearing)
- OCP amendments
- Removing barriers to Accessory Dwelling Units
Amendment Package 2
May 2024 (Municipal Planning Commission) | June 2024 (City Council Public Hearing)
- OCP amendments
- Permitting 4 dwelling units per site in all residential zoning districts
- Corridor land use map amendments
- Corridor zoning district amendments
- Permitting multiple unit residential development within 800 metres of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations - the "Transit Development Area"
- Streamlining zoning regulations for Supportive Housing - Residential Care Homes
Other Amendments
Additional amendments related to the Official Community Plan (OCP) and Zoning Bylaw will also be considered. Visit the following pages for more information:
• Minimum Parking Requirements
• Residential Care Homes
Amendments pertaining to supportive housing uses such as special needs housing will be considered in the future.
Next Steps
Proposed amendments will be brought forward to a Municipal Planning Commission meeting, followed by a City Council Public Hearing. The public is welcome to submit a letter or request to speak at both meetings.