Bnranews June 2021

bnranews@chebucto.ns.ca

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Fwd: Affordable Housing Commission Presents Recommendations

by lavellcampbell

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Neighbours Speak Up <neighboursspeakup(a)gmail.com> Date: Tue, Jun 1, 2021 at 1:53 PM Subject: Fwd: Affordable Housing Commission Presents Recommendations To: Greetings, Please see included note and Report from the Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission. During the course of their work we participated in virtual consultation exercises and made a submission to the Commission. We highlighted the challenges of short-term rentals to affordable housing and emphasized the importance of committing to Long Term residency in any of their recommendations, funding and projects. The Report and recommendations are highlighted in several news reports today, such as CBC, the Halifax Examiner and others. Hopefully, in the days to come, there will be some critical analysis of these important recommendations. Please take a look and provide your perspective and questions to the Affordable Housing Commission email/contact points noted below or directly to your MLA and the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure. I have also provided a link to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives report , *"Keys to a Housing Secure Future of All Nova Scotians"*, that was issued this past week as well. It provides an in-depth perspective on the causes of the housing issue and how they might be addressed. https://www.policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/… In terms of our particular objectives, the Commission does makes reference to Short-term rentals in Recommendation 15 on Rural and Non-urban Housing, p.48, and urges government to consult with stakeholders on "concerns related to conversion of rental stock to short-term rentals" to "ensure both an adequate supply of accommodation for visitors and permanent housing for local residents." However, this work is given a lower priority and designated as a Long Term goal, for 2025-26. While 'housing policy', in general, is not the purpose of our particular project we are concerned with any efforts that would assist the increase in affordable housing. As such, we offer some personal observations on the Report and Recommendations of the Commission. A number of the recommendations must come as a disappointment to those who wanted the government to take more affirmative action on behalf of those unable to find and afford suitable, affordable housing. One of the consultants who spoke to the Commission, Steve Pomeroy from Carleton University and long-time analyst and researcher on housing policy in Canada, noted that Halifax actually has a large supply of housing and is building more. However, for many people, this housing is beyond their financial means. He recommended that the Commission look not only at 'supply' of housing but the 'rental costs' that have gone way beyond average. Sadly, the Commission did not address Pomeroy's observations in the Report or recommendations but did note that all rents for units built after 2015 are 53% higher than average and many cannot afford "market rents". Unfortunately, in our view, the Commission has decided not to act on the 'rent' issue , which they see as a disincentive for developing more housing. Instead, according to Recommendations 10-12, they would like the government to provide funds for a small Community Housing Growth Fund, "modernize" and raise the rents in Public Housing and "expand housing for seniors and the vulnerable" by supporting non-traditional housing options such as secondary suites, tiny houses, lane-way housing and more rooming houses. (p43-.45) This exclusion of ordinary people from the on-going housing boom, all around us, includes persons with a disability. According to the Commission, " It is also more cost-effective to create accessible units for people with disabilities by renovating existing units than building new rental housing." (p.42) How this squares with the mission of 'housing as a human right', now and in the future, is not addressed. Much of the responsibility for renovating, developing and building affordable housing is turned over to the private sector. The Recommendations highlight the need to provide municipalities, property managers and developers and non-profit housing associations with incentives, relaxed regulations around zoning and density, reduced fees and property taxes , access to common land and continued use of rent supplements (but not rent control). The Commission has also recommended an "independent arm's length agency" that would manage the on-going assessment of housing needs, handle financing and have the authority to partner on housing projects, presumably away from the apparent interference of the Minister or local MLA's. The present Commission, including several property manager and developer representatives, have offered to serve as an advisory group to this new agency, an offer one hopes will be resisted. While the intent of the Commission to encourage the provision of affordable housing is laudable and needs critical support it seems unfortunate that the approach is status quo. The sector that has turned housing into a commodity to the point that ordinary people cannot afford to rent is not chastened or regulated but encouraged to continue. Let's hope and work toward an alternative approach. Bill Stewart for Neighbours Speak Up ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Affordable Housing Commission < affordablehousingcommission(a)novascotia.ca> Date: Mon, May 31, 2021 at 1:25 PM Subject: Affordable Housing Commission Presents Recommendations To: Affordable Housing Commission <affordablehousingcommission(a)novascotia.ca > Hi everyone, We are pleased to inform you that the Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission has completed its mandate and released its findings and recommendations to the Government of Nova Scotia. Our 61-page report entitled *Charting a new course for affordable housing in Nova Scotia* contains 17 recommendations and 60 meaningful actions, which have been shaped in part by your valuable input. Many of these recommendations could take some time to implement, which is why we are calling on government to make an immediate financial commitment of $25 million to begin addressing this crisis. Download a copy of the Commissionâ€™s final report <https://beta.novascotia.ca/documents/affordable-housing-report-spring-2021> Our call to action is thoughtful, balanced, and is rooted in our belief that everyone has a right to adequate housing, and that housing is a critical sector of our economy and a social determinant of health. As we have learned during the past six months, our current affordable housing crisis is not the result of a single event, but rather the consequences of systemic challenges that have been building for years. Similarly, there is no simple solution and no silver bullet to this complex problem that governments around the world have been grappling with. The solution requires not only a significant financial investment by all levels of government, but a strong cross-sectoral collaboration to break down systemic barriers. Nova Scotiaâ€™s housing market is going through unprecedented times, a situation that has certainly been exacerbated by a global pandemic. Our mandate was to identify meaningful and actionable solutions that would allow the provincial government to take immediate action. Our recommendations have been informed by public input, expert advice, and a comprehensive review of best practices. More than 2,000 individuals shared their stories, expertise, and ideas throughout an extensive public consultation process. This included more than 1,200 survey respondents, over 570 responses from the public via our website, and over 400 participants in virtual workshops and focus groups. We want to thank you for taking the time to share your views and ideas in a written submission. We invite you to read the report and share your comments via: â€¢ Web portal: https://nsaffordablehousingcommission.ca/getinvolved/guest_book â€¢ Email: affordablehousingcommission(a)novascotia.ca We want to thank you for your participation and interest. Ren Thomas and Eiryn Devereaux, co-chairs -- 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.

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Bnranews June 2021