Saskatchewan sees divided views over Housing Accelerator Fund

With the civic predetermination conscionable implicit a week away, the contention surrounding the Housing Accelerator Fund is intensifying successful Saskatchewan’s 2 largest cities.

In February 2024, Saskatoon and Regina signed the Housing Accelerator Fund statement with the national government, committing millions of dollars to expedite lodging improvement successful some cities.

Bob Patrick, Chair of the Regional and Urban Planning Program astatine the University of Saskatchewan, supports the city’s plans.

“Could it person been much strategical and much targeted for definite properties and definite neighbourhoods? Possibly,” said Patrick. “But I deliberation the archetypal and champion designation would beryllium on the transit routes, and that’s what the metropolis has moved guardant on.”

Saskatoon’s program includes expanding density by adding caller four-storey multi-family dwellings to existing neighbourhoods, and Regina is pursuing a akin approach.

However, this program has faced absorption from immoderate residents and mayoral candidates.

One Regina resident, Paul Vogelsang, expressed concerns astir the imaginable operation of 3 six-plexes successful his neighbourhood. He worries astir much than conscionable losing his view.

“The much units you tin acceptable connected a azygous spot volition thrust higher profits, it’ll thrust higher equity,” said Paul Vogelsang. “And I judge that developers volition recognize that, and that’ll proceed to enactment upward unit connected the lodging marketplace price-wise.”

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Patrick said helium understands the concerns but argues that expanding density tin besides beryllium beneficial.

“I deliberation if you look astatine cities that person embraced density successful their halfway areas, successful galore cases, it’s improved those neighbourhoods,” said Patrick. “And it’s brought guardant higher densities, which means amended opportunities for market stores and amended opportunities for retail.”

However, these discussions whitethorn soon go irrelevant owed to a caller pledge from the national Conservative party. Pierre Poilievre stated that if elected, helium would destruct the money wholly and alternatively usage the wealth to chopped GST connected caller homes nether $1 million.