---------- 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.