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Fwd: Moving Forward on Short-term Rental Policy and Housing

by lavellcampbell

---------- 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.

2 years, 6 months

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Job opening

by Kathleen Flanagan

Hello BNRA. Would you please send this information to the BNRA listserv? Thanks. - Kathleen Flanagan ViewPoint has a job opening for a Gallery Assistant for 8 weeks @ 30 hours/week @ minimum wage ($12.95/hour). Applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 30. ViewPoint Gallery is a not-for-profit cooperative art gallery that specializes in photography. The gallery is located in Bedford at 1475 Bedford Highway. Please send your application to info(a)viewpointgallery.ca <mailto:info@viewpointgallery.ca> Deadline for applications Thursday July 8. -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

2 years, 10 months

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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.

2 years, 11 months

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recommendations for insulation, electricians, heat pump companies

by Martha Radice

Hello neighbours! I hope you are well and safe. Do you have any recommendations for 1) insulation companies - specifically, looking to insulate basement headers and get advice about basement walls 2) electricians 3) heat pump installers (ducted) Please email me any recommendations (or counter-recommendations!). Thank you! Martha martharadice(a)gmail.com

2 years, 11 months

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organic veggie CSA delivery to Dartmouth and Halifax

by bnra＠chebucto.ns.ca

Hello all, former Bloomfield St resident Moira Peterâ€™s is offering a CSA again. The vegetables are amazing and small farmers need all the support they can get these days with restaurants closed. Susanna ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Moira Peters <moira.peters(a)gmail.com> Date: Tue, May 11, 2021 at 3:25 AM Subject: [sust-mar] organic veggie CSA delivering to Dartmouth & Halifax To: <sust-mar(a)list.web.net> Hi there! Here's a submission: Four Seasons Farm is delivering organic veggies to families in Dartmouth and Halifax in its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Half-season $325 (May-August) or full season $650 (May-November). Non-GMO eggs optional add-on for $5.75/doz. Dartmouth Wednesdays 4-5:30pm; Halifax Saturdays 9-11am. Both locations outdoors & no-contact. order4seasons(a)gmail.com 902-261-2345 fourseasonsfarm.ca/csa Thank you! Moira

3 years

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Fwd: For BNRA listserve

by lavellcampbell

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Jackie Barkley <barkley(a)ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, May 10, 2021 at 4:59 PM Subject: For BNRA listserve To: <plavell(a)gmail.com> Hi neighbours, I'm been to the Mayflower curling club Covid testing site several times now....always empty, with lots of bored health care workers...lol They again said "please please do frequent asymptomatic testing", and it's super easy to book, they will also do rapid testing there, and it's in our neighbourhood. I got my result by text in 20 min this morning. Just a word of encouragement. (I did not know where Mayflower Curling Club site was, and it's really close - across Young from Italian Market on the lil road going to the back of the Almon st postal station) Stay well! Jackie -- DO NOT BE DAUNTED BY THE WORLD'S GRIEF. DO JUSTLY NOW. LOVE MERCY NOW. WALK HUMBLY NOW. YOU ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO COMPLETE THE WORK, BUT NEITHER ARE YOU FREE TO ABANDON IT. The Talmud

3 years

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Fwd: Ottawa Approves Regulations on Short-term Rentals

by lavellcampbell

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Neighbours Speak Up <neighboursspeakup(a)gmail.com> Date: Thu, May 6, 2021 at 4:58 PM Subject: Ottawa Approves Regulations on Short-term Rentals To: Hi everyone, As some of you may be aware the City of Ottawa has just approved regulations for short-term rentals. I have included a CTV article and the City of Ottawa site describing the regulations and background. They contain many of the provisions we have been advocating here and are quite similar to the recommendations in the HRM staff report last September. As such, we hope they will provide a useful resource for that on-going work. https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/council-approves-limiting-short-term-rentals-to-p… https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/public-engagement/projects/rental-accommodat… As you will see Ottawa bases its approach on a staff report submitted in November 15/20 that sought to address issues which are familiar here. They emphasized neighbourhood disruption and safety, displacing housing, and contributing to rent increases and housing costs. Their basic principle is short-term rentals can be provided by primary residents only. Condos and Co-operative housing boards will be able to prohibit STR in their properties. In rental properties and apartment buildings STR will require permission of the landlord. Cottage owners will be subject to a separate permit process. We were also encouraged to see that only 'registered' platforms can advertise STR and all advertisements require posting permit number and maximum number of guests allowed. They have agreed to a 10 person maximum for a property with 2 person maximum per room. Hosts must also inform guests of noise, safety, parking and other requirements. The Ottawa regulations are to come into force on June 1/21 so we will keep an eye on how the implementation progresses. In the meantime, as noted in an earlier update, HRM indicated they would be resuming their work on STR regulations in late Spring and Summer. Obviously, the continuing Covid crisis here will no doubt have an impact on progress with that work. However, at some point, people will be on the move again and having a regulatory approach similar to Ottawa in place will help prevent some of the challenges we have faced in our community. 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.

3 years

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Fwd: Ottawa Approves Regulations on Short-term Rentals

by lavellcampbell

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Neighbours Speak Up <neighboursspeakup(a)gmail.com> Date: Thu, May 6, 2021 at 4:58 PM Subject: Ottawa Approves Regulations on Short-term Rentals To: Hi everyone, As some of you may be aware the City of Ottawa has just approved regulations for short-term rentals. I have included a CTV article and the City of Ottawa site describing the regulations and background. They contain many of the provisions we have been advocating here and are quite similar to the recommendations in the HRM staff report last September. As such, we hope they will provide a useful resource for that on-going work. https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/council-approves-limiting-short-term-rentals-to-p… https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/public-engagement/projects/rental-accommodat… As you will see Ottawa bases its approach on a staff report submitted in November 15/20 that sought to address issues which are familiar here. They emphasized neighbourhood disruption and safety, displacing housing, and contributing to rent increases and housing costs. Their basic principle is short-term rentals can be provided by primary residents only. Condos and Co-operative housing boards will be able to prohibit STR in their properties. In rental properties and apartment buildings STR will require permission of the landlord. Cottage owners will be subject to a separate permit process. We were also encouraged to see that only 'registered' platforms can advertise STR and all advertisements require posting permit number and maximum number of guests allowed. They have agreed to a 10 person maximum for a property with 2 person maximum per room. Hosts must also inform guests of noise, safety, parking and other requirements. The Ottawa regulations are to come into force on June 1/21 so we will keep an eye on how the implementation progresses. In the meantime, as noted in an earlier update, HRM indicated they would be resuming their work on STR regulations in late Spring and Summer. Obviously, the continuing Covid crisis here will no doubt have an impact on progress with that work. However, at some point, people will be on the move again and having a regulatory approach similar to Ottawa in place will help prevent some of the challenges we have faced in our community. 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.

3 years

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The Narrows Public House Update

by The Narrows Public House

Hey Pete, We wanted to provide a long overdue update for The Narrows Pub at 2720 Gottingen Street. If you could share the below message to residents, that would be appreciated. Cheers. Myles Hi Bloomfield Residents, We wanted to provide the community with a long overdue update on The Narrows Public House at 2720 Gottingen. We were hoping to provide a progress report earlier than this but as you can imagine, Covid and the related economic restrictions, in particular in the hospitality industry, really hampered an already challenging project. Nonetheless, we are forging on and have tried to find any silver linings we can. After being forced out of work due to restrictions, we took over all general contracting duties for the project and have been onsite working everyday to try and keep the project viable and progressing, however slowly. That said, we have gained some traction as of late and are preparing to accelerate the construction schedule over the next 4-6 months in an effort to finally open our doors to the community for good. As work ramps up, there will be more activity happening at the property, including the installation of a new steel staircase on the back of the house as required by fire code, mechanical ventilation work, electrical upgrades, landscaping, and the like. As always, we wanted to let our immediate neighbours and the rest of the community know of this upcoming work and welcome any questions or comments as we move towards completion of the construction. With the exception of the staircase and some ventilation/electrical, the majority of the work will still be contained within the house. That said, if there are any concerns now or throughout the construction, don't hesitate to send us an email or stop by the house, as we're here everyday and happy to chat. Thanks as always to the community members who have supported us over the years and continue to do so. Your continued encouragement certainly helps keep us looking towards the light at the end of the tunnel. We can't wait to have you all in the house, sharing in food, drink and great conversation. In a time of heightened restrictions, it is important to have spaces close to home where people of all ages and backgrounds can still feel comfortable coming together and maintaining a sense of community and connectedness. We look forward to providing such a space. We will keep you up to date on our timelines as construction continues to progress. Kind Regards, Myles & Tyson

3 years

2
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another theft in the neighbourhood

by Ron Skibbens

Hi friends and neighbours. We heard this from some friends on Fuller Terrace yesterdayâ€¦ and itâ€™s not the first time recently, so please report all thefts from your house, property and cars to the police. Ron ** We want to warn neighbors of what happened to us on Fuller Terrace midday today. It could help prevent others among us from experiencing this if they're made aware. 12:21 pm - email notice comes to us saying package delivered to our house/front door (with picture of our door with box next to it) 12:27 pm - arrived back home to bring the package in (we were close by) - NO package in sight. 12:29-12:40 - reported it to Intelcom Express, Amazon and online Police report. 12:40 pm - a neighbor, from a few doors down, appears outside our door with an open empty Amazon package explaining she saw a younger woman, covered face, puffy jacket/scruffy/sketchy, 5'10, walking suspiciously passed her house with a package, this woman slipped between houses, her place and another home, and quickly after within minutes, suddenly walked out without a box and scurried off.. the neighbor went to that area between houses, and there was an empty Amazon box with my name on it, so she brought to us to explain what she saw. It's difficult to fathom how packages are just left very out in the open (not even tucked under porch, more out of sight and out of the elements). I'm updating all of my "shipping" addresses to "do not safe drop" and it's unfortunate it's come to this :( That being said, I'll say a short prayer for the desperate soul(s) out there who must resort to this means for whatever purposes they have. The world needs more love and kindness I think. Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows 10

3 years, 2 months

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