Courtesy: Town of High Level
Federal grant supports Town’s housing efforts
The Town of High Level has received a substantial grant from the Federal Government to assist in its efforts to encourage more housing development in the community.
The grant amounts to just over $1.67 million and is provided through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Fund. This funding will support the
development of 51 new homes over the next three years, helping address the housing needs of the community.
This funding will support the development of 51 new homes over the next three years, helping to address the housing needs of the community. The investment will streamline
housing development by cutting red tape, improving the development approval process, and promoting the construction of more affordable and diverse housing options in our
town.
“This substantial investment from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is a pivotal advancement in tackling our community’s housing challenges,” said Mayor Crystal
McAteer. “By expediting approval processes and fostering diverse housing options, we are laying the foundation for High Level’s sustained growth and prosperity.”
As part of its agreement with the CMHC, the Town has committed to advancing several initiatives to support sustainable housing growth, including:
- • Zoning Reform of Residential Land Use Districts: This will allow secondary suites,
duplexes, and townhouses/multi-units in more residential areas; remove unit caps
on multi-unit developments; and increase building height allowances.
• Making Building Easier: The Town will implement more flexible regulations for
parking, lot size, setbacks, density, and other site layout factors to encourage denser
site layouts and reduce burdensome development restrictions.
• Improving Development & Approval Processes: This initiative will streamline
development permit processes with e-permitting, priority review, pre-approval
options, and more. - Improving Data Access: Enhancing website navigation, implementing an open
infrastructure data portal, and conducting GIS work to improve planning data.
• Multi-Unit and Secondary Suite Incentive Program: Offering financial incentives for
secondary suites and multi-unit developments, with preferences given to affordable
housing projects.
• Renewal of Current Statutory Plans: The Town will conduct a full renewal of its
statutory plans, including updating the Municipal Development Plan,
amending/creating residential-focused Area Structure Plans, and creating new Area
Redevelopment Plans
More details on the housing initiatives supported by this funding will be shared in the
coming months.
