City Council is taking a proactive approach to help create additional rental units in the City of Humboldt.
City Manager James Moller presented a Housing Report to Council at a regular meeting held on April 22. The report further detailed the existing provincial housing initiatives that are available to municipalities and/or developers.
After a lengthy discussion and debate, Humboldt City Council approved the provision of a municipal rental incentive program, which will tie in with existing provincial programs.
"Short-term accommodations and the rental markets here are quite tight, so what we're trying to do is increase those (rental) units in our community," said Moller.
Council was collectively optimistic that initiating their own incentive program to complement the provincial programs would draw attention to the financial assistance available to property owners and prospective landlords.
"By developing and marketing our own program with the provincial program, we may get the awareness out there that these programs do exist and get some new investment in our community," Moller told council on Monday evening.
"It's about public perception," said councillor Linda Mattock. "What are we doing as a City, as a council, to improve the standard of living and what are we doing to provide affordable housing?"
Council expressed hope that the incentive program would work to increase the number of rental accommodations available to new and existing Humboldt residents and improve the conditions of current rental units.
"We need to see not only the business side of things, but more so the social fabric investment of trying to get this type of housing," Steve Brown, director of finance, told council. "It's not just money - dollars and cents, it's an investment in the community."
Because the 2013 budget has already been approved, funding for the municipal rental incentive program would have to be appropriated by council. Brown said it would be most advantageous to the City to take advantage of low interest rates and borrow the funds, rather than use internal reserves. Details will be determined in the near future, although Brown confirmed that financing would be a part of the budget process in subsequent years.
The following municipal rental incentive programs will be drafted:
New Rental Construction Program - The City may contribute up to $5,000 per unit for the construction of new, multi-unit rental housing; applications are to be in accordance with Saskatchewan Housing Corporation's Rental Incentive Program. To be eligible you have to be approved by the province through their program and its matching funds will be provided by the City of Humboldt to a maximum to be determined and evaluated by the municipality each year.
Secondary Suite Program - The City may contribute up to a $7,500 maximum for secondary suite development; applications are to be in accordance with Saskatchewan Housing Corporation's Secondary Suite Program.
Rental Repair Funding - The City may contribute up to a $15,000 maximum for improvements and/or repairs to existing rental units; applications are to be in accordance with the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation's Rental Repair Funding Program.
