The nbnpha 2013 conference addressed the challenges of affordable housing in Fredericton, highlighting high rents, homelessness indicators, and low vacancy rates. Acknowledging the need for action, the Affordable Housing Committee emphasized strategies such as zoning reform and incentives for developers to create affordable units. Moving forward, collaboration with various stakeholders and ongoing education about affordable housing solutions are essential.

1. NBNPHA 2013 CONFERENCE
“Affordable Housing –
Planning for the Next Generation”
Mike O’Brien, Fredericton City Councillor
Chair, Affordable Housing Committee

2.  Local Economy Vibrant
 Low Vacancy Rate = Will Continue To
Have Highest Rents in NB
 N.I.M.B.Y ism - Getting Better, But Still
Exists
 Interest in Affordable Housing By
Private Sector Growing – But Long Way
To Go

3. HOMELESSNESS INDICATORS
# who stayed in a shelter 323
# of shelter beds for Men 40
# of shelter beds for Women 9
# beds for Youth 16-19 (women only) 8
HOUSING INDICATORS
# of provincially subsidized units 788
# of non-profit and coop units 255
# on PNB waiting list 500
rental vacancy rate 2.6
average rent for 2-bedroom apartment $761
average rent for rooming house $425
INCOME INDICATORS
# on social assistance 7,401
SA $ for single person $537
SA 1 adult/1 child $809
Minimum wage $10/hr
CPI on food 133%
INDICATORS

4. Visible Homeless Population - 430 persons
“Hidden Homeless” Population - 1,285
persons
Overcrowding- 1,095
households
In need of major repair - 2,485
households
Unaffordable Housing - 6,105 households
Fredericton’s Housing Iceberg
*despite increased housing starts,
a large segment of the market place
remains underserved.

5.  Affordable Housing Committee
Formed in 2006
 City, GNB, GC, Social Agencies, John
Howard, Emergency Shelter, Home
Builders & Real Estate Associations,
Financial, Chamber…..
 Advocacy, education, action

6.  Adopted the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights recognizing the right to
housing….
“ Everyone has the right to a standard of
living adequate for the health and
well-being of himself and of his family,
including food, clothing, housing and
medical care and necessary social
services…

7.  Adopted Land Discount Policy
◦ 12.5% discount for affordable rental
developments
◦ 20% discount for single family AH
homes
 Deferred Upfront Development Fees to
Non-Profits

8. • Affordable Housing Days & Seminars
•City of Langford, BC = voluntary
inclusionary zoning
•Ed Powers of City of St. John’s =
affordable private development model
•Michel Labbé (Options for Homes)
Toronto = private non-profit co-
operative model
•F.C.A.G.H. = “Housing First”

9. Dr. Avi Friedman
Co-founder of the Affordable
Homes Program at the McGill School
of Architecture in Montreal,

10.  Meet With All Ministers of Social
Development
 Support A.H. Zonings Applications at
PAC
 Provide Opportunities for A.H. Media
Coverage

11. The Action Plan
was/is
Not Enough
……. Enter “Zone Fredericton”

12. #1. Modernize the way we
manage the city's growth
#2. Make the zoning by-
law easier for residents
and investors to use
PURPOSE

13. ...meets the needs of all residents, but
especially, of seniors, low-income
residents, persons with disabilities,
students, and newcomers to our city
#3. Meet changing social, economic,
and environmental needs that….

14. Parking Reductions To Incent A.H.
Up to 40 % of the required parking for
Provincial A.H. programs.
… must prove the required parking
can be provided if the A.H. units go to
market rate in the future

15. Parking Reductions to Incent A.H.
Now: 1st 4 units parking exempt when
part of a commercial development in
the City Centre
Proposing 1st 8 units be exempt

16. Parking Reductions to Incent A.H.
Reduce minimum parking requirement
for downtown assisted living housing
to 0.25 spaces per unit (from 0.50).
The # of downtown essential services
and amenities reduces need for seniors
to drive

17. Parking Reductions to Incent A.H.
Reduced by 10% where residential
developments are located close to
transit
….and by 15% where residential uses
are combined with commercial uses to
create mixed use

18. Parking Reductions to Incent A.H.
By 20 to 30 % for apartment buildings
in close proximity to existing services.

19. Smaller Lots to Incent A.H.
New zone with a smaller lot sizes
(minimum frontage of 11.5 m and
area of 345 m2)

20. Density Bonus to Incent A.H.
Most significant provision
Up to 20% more units where A.H. units
are incorporated into the proposed
development.

21. What’s Next? (to Drive A.H.)
A.H. Committee will work closely with
stakeholder groups
Further amendments if further
opportunities identified.

22.  Mayor Woodside Assuming FCM Chair
 “Educate, Educate, Educate”
 Community Planning Act Revisions
Inclusionary Zoning?
(what’s stopping us?)
Housing First – Next Steps