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 Now Live
Full details on the initiatives going forward with funding assistance through the Housing Accelerator Fund can be found here. The page includes information on the initiatives as well as informative videos and opportunities to comment.
The City of Saskatoon is looking at innovative solutions to remove barriers to the housing supply, increase the speed at which new housing can be developed and help ensure this new housing is sustainable. This initiative will be supported by the federal Housing Accelerator Fund. The City’s application for the Housing Accelerator Fund is under review.
Some of the challenges we will be looking at over the short term include increasing densification of certain areas, speeding up approval times, making the Zoning Bylaw better able to adapt to housing needs, and encouraging transit-oriented development.
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.
During a continuation of City Council’s Regular Business Meeting November 23, 2023, motions were approved to support Saskatoon’s application to the federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). Full information can be found in the news release.
Please email zoningbylaw@saskatoon.ca if you have any questions or wish to share any feedback.
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.
Initiative 2: Implement new Corridor Zoning Districts
New 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 page.
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.
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.
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/HAF and click on the "Supportive Housing" tab.
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.
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.
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.
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. For more information, see the March 2024 report at City Council.
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.
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.
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. 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 four storey multiple-unit development within 800 metres of the BRT corridors as-of-right.
The City will also be reviewing the current infill zoning regulations. This project is anticipated to be completed by mid-2025.
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.
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.