---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Neighbours Speak Up <neighboursspeakup(a)gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Oct 20, 2021 at 3:24 PM
Subject: Moving Forward on Short-term Rental Policy and Housing
To:
Hi everyone,
Thank you for your patience, tenacity and support in this continuing
campaign to bring effective regulation to the short-term rental situation.
The continuing Covid crisis has focussed government elsewhere and
certainly curtailed progress in advocating for regulatory change. While
short-term rental activity certainly decreased over the last eighteen
months, from the highs of 2019, we are now seeing the numbers creep up
through-out the Province. Moreover, as you know, the challenge to find
adequate and affordable housing has been front and centre in the public
pages of our media here and elsewhere.
In that regard we have communicated with both the Province and HRM to
encourage action as we move into another year. Both have indicated plans to
move forward.
Please find attached a letter we have sent to the Nova Scotia Ministers of
Economic Development and Municipal Affairs and Housing urging attention to
short-term rental policy with particular reference to the 'housing
situation'. As you will note the Provincial registry information (which is
strictly voluntary at this point) has noted over 2300 STR units around the
Province with high numbers in several communities around the province. HRM
appears to have 538 officially registered and most likely many who are
not. Most are 'entire homes' - houses, apartments and condos, that are
taken off the available housing stock.
We have asked the Province to step up the work on registration and in
particular, to ensure that registration numbers are put on
advertisements, digital and print. (VRBO are starting to do this but not
Airbnb) Visible registration numbers are key to enforcement, as David
Wachsmuth has emphasized. We are also encouraging the Province to cooperate
with municipalitie in getting local regulatory regimes and registrations on
the go. That work should include looking at the taxation status of
commercial STRs, as it relates to residential communities and equity with
other providers of tourist accommodation. Lastly, we want the Province and
Municipalities to allocate public funds only for housing projects that
commit to housing long-term residency.
As you may be aware, the Province has issued its housing policy plan today.
It is called *A Healthy Nova Scotia: Solutions for Housing and Homelessness*.
Here is the link.
https://beta.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/documents/1-2738/healthy-nov…
As you will see, the plan does address the short-term rental factor. It
recommends cooperation with the municipalities to develop regulations. Here
is how the document puts it,
*"The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing will meet with
municipalities across the Province to discuss possible measures that
support affordable housing, such as better regulation for short-term rental
units and flexibility in taxation that will encourage affordable housing
development. Government will discuss this issue with municipalities over
the fall and winter. The goal would be to introduce amendments to the
Municipal Government Act and the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter in
the spring session of the Legislature.*
*Short-term rentals are increasing across Nova Scotia. Clarity is needed
around this growing industry, and we need to ensure it does not negatively
impact affordable housing. Government will consult with stakeholders over
the fall and winter, with the goal of introducing legislation in the spring
of 2022." *
I expect that work will be part of the action by HRM as well. I was
advised today by Councillor Smith that a report on STR will go to Council
in early 2022. In the meantime it is expected there will be a survey in the
next couple of weeks which we hope to hear more about shortly. Councillor
Smith advises, there will also be opportunity for the public to provide
feedback on any changes to land-use related by-laws as part of the STR
package when it is brought to Council.
In the meantime, we will continue to follow-up with our advocacy and keep
you posted on any further information. If you become aware of any activity
related to STRs in and around your area please let us know.
All the Best,
Bill Stewart
for Neighbours Speak Up
You are receiving this email because you have expressed interest in being
updated regarding the
short-term rental issue. If you do not wish to receive further messages
please let us know.
Hello Neighbors,
I am moving plants & soil and have some plants to share.
* Pink and/or white phlox clump with roots
* Chinese lantern roots
* Blackberry
* Solomon’s Seal
Let me know if interested,
Shari-Lynn Hiltz
902-453-2798
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Neighbours Speak Up <neighboursspeakup(a)gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Oct 20, 2021 at 3:24 PM
Subject: Moving Forward on Short-term Rental Policy and Housing
To:
Hi everyone,
Thank you for your patience, tenacity and support in this continuing
campaign to bring effective regulation to the short-term rental situation.
The continuing Covid crisis has focussed government elsewhere and
certainly curtailed progress in advocating for regulatory change. While
short-term rental activity certainly decreased over the last eighteen
months, from the highs of 2019, we are now seeing the numbers creep up
through-out the Province. Moreover, as you know, the challenge to find
adequate and affordable housing has been front and centre in the public
pages of our media here and elsewhere.
In that regard we have communicated with both the Province and HRM to
encourage action as we move into another year. Both have indicated plans to
move forward.
Please find attached a letter we have sent to the Nova Scotia Ministers of
Economic Development and Municipal Affairs and Housing urging attention to
short-term rental policy with particular reference to the 'housing
situation'. As you will note the Provincial registry information (which is
strictly voluntary at this point) has noted over 2300 STR units around the
Province with high numbers in several communities around the province. HRM
appears to have 538 officially registered and most likely many who are
not. Most are 'entire homes' - houses, apartments and condos, that are
taken off the available housing stock.
We have asked the Province to step up the work on registration and in
particular, to ensure that registration numbers are put on
advertisements, digital and print. (VRBO are starting to do this but not
Airbnb) Visible registration numbers are key to enforcement, as David
Wachsmuth has emphasized. We are also encouraging the Province to cooperate
with municipalitie in getting local regulatory regimes and registrations on
the go. That work should include looking at the taxation status of
commercial STRs, as it relates to residential communities and equity with
other providers of tourist accommodation. Lastly, we want the Province and
Municipalities to allocate public funds only for housing projects that
commit to housing long-term residency.
As you may be aware, the Province has issued its housing policy plan today.
It is called *A Healthy Nova Scotia: Solutions for Housing and Homelessness*.
Here is the link.
https://beta.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/documents/1-2738/healthy-nov…
As you will see, the plan does address the short-term rental factor. It
recommends cooperation with the municipalities to develop regulations. Here
is how the document puts it,
*"The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing will meet with
municipalities across the Province to discuss possible measures that
support affordable housing, such as better regulation for short-term rental
units and flexibility in taxation that will encourage affordable housing
development. Government will discuss this issue with municipalities over
the fall and winter. The goal would be to introduce amendments to the
Municipal Government Act and the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter in
the spring session of the Legislature.*
*Short-term rentals are increasing across Nova Scotia. Clarity is needed
around this growing industry, and we need to ensure it does not negatively
impact affordable housing. Government will consult with stakeholders over
the fall and winter, with the goal of introducing legislation in the spring
of 2022." *
I expect that work will be part of the action by HRM as well. I was
advised today by Councillor Smith that a report on STR will go to Council
in early 2022. In the meantime it is expected there will be a survey in the
next couple of weeks which we hope to hear more about shortly. Councillor
Smith advises, there will also be opportunity for the public to provide
feedback on any changes to land-use related by-laws as part of the STR
package when it is brought to Council.
In the meantime, we will continue to follow-up with our advocacy and keep
you posted on any further information. If you become aware of any activity
related to STRs in and around your area please let us know.
All the Best,
Bill Stewart
for Neighbours Speak Up
You are receiving this email because you have expressed interest in being
updated regarding the
short-term rental issue. If you do not wish to receive further messages
please let us know.
