Housing Plans

The following financial incentives were identified:

• incentivize new rental housing construction by maintaining a new multi-residential tax rate for residential properties
• create arrangements to provide affordable housing through Municipal Housing Capital Facilities Agreements
• enhance financial incentives available for affordable housing and energy efficiency in the City's Community Improvement Plans

The following actions related to policies and procedures were identified:

• complete a comprehensive review of vacant lands and conduct a growth analysis
• establish a policy to increase the utilization of municipal lands for affordable housing where appropriate
• establish a Local Improvement Charge procedure to potentially support developers that seek to address housing needs in the community
• develop affordable housing using a Municipal Service Corporation

The following regulatory actions were identified:

• review regulations and by-laws to identify unnecessary barriers to the creation of affordable housing
• create a Development Permit System to streamline applications to minimize cost and time for potential housing developers and staff

We identified the following communication and education actions:

• work with the Kenora District Services Board as Service Manager on the development of an incentive toolkit and promote any affordable housing programs provided by all levels of government
• research innovative housing with partners to create a resource development of affordable housing
• initiate or support a housing forum in which projects and available incentives are showcased alongside networking opportunities among stakeholders

The following advocacy actions were identified:

• incorporate issues related to affordable housing into corporate advocacy efforts