Council boosts potential city-wide housing opportunities following Housing Accelerator Fund approvals

City Council today took the first steps toward more housing opportunities to encourage greater density near transit corridors. 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). The City will now provide a formal response confirming the amendments to the federal government.  

“This is a generational shift in what housing looks like, More people will have access to stable and affordable housing, with walkable services and access to public transit and active transportation opportunities.” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development. “The City had already started working on accommodating more people living in these areas years ago through its Corridor Planning Program, which is looking at how to make Saskatoon’s major transportation corridors into livable places. The HAF program is an extension of this, not a complete shift in the work we have already been doing.” 
 
With approval of these amendments, Council has directed the Administration to:  

• Propose a zoning bylaw amendment that aligns with the HAF requirements to allow up to four residential units on a property in a residential zoning district and as long as development standard and conditions such as the lot size, sewer and water infrastructure can accommodate it, with a report back to a Public Hearing in the first quarter of 2024;  

• Propose a zoning bylaw amendment that would permit four storey multiple-unit development within 800 metres of the bus rapid transit system corridors, with appropriate development standards, including servicing capacity and report back to a Public Hearing in the second quarter of 2024; 

• Propose a zoning bylaw amendment that removes parking requirements from areas that are within the defined Corridor Areas and report back to a Public Hearing in the first quarter of 2024; and, that this motion be forwarded to the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services, as part of the ‘Options for Review of Minimum Parking Regulations’ being considered at the December 6, 2023 meeting; and 

• Work with the University of Saskatchewan to increase density and create opportunities for student housing in the College Quarter. 
  In addition, Council has requested that Administration report back on options to protect the character of neighbourhoods, in time for the public hearing in the second quarter of 2024. 
   

“Not just Saskatoon, but major cities across Canada, have been negotiating Housing Accelerator Fund applications with the federal government to help address housing affordability and access,” says Anderson. “Approval of our application could potentially provide tens of millions of dollars to increase the city’s housing supply, including affordable housing with a focus on the areas of Saskatoon near transit corridors.”  

Following the federal government’s receipt of the City’s formal response, finalization of the contribution agreement and a formal public announcement will be planned, along with more detailed next steps including plans for public consultation.