Hopefully soon, housing issues will be a thing of the past in Yorkton.
Following a presentation Monday evening by Tom Seeley and Ron Skinner - both co-chairs of the Yorkton Housing Committee - Yorkton City Council members adopted a five-year housing plan for the city.
"It's important to identify the needs and to work towards established goals," Seeley said to council before unveiling the committees recommendations.
The plan identifies three main goals that are intended to foster housing development activities over the next five years in Yorkton.
Goals include: facilitating and enhancing the range of affordable, adequate and accessible housing options; encouraging the provision of non-market, near-market and market housing options; and, creating and facilitating a favorable environment for housing in the city.
In partnership with the city, "the plan will contribute to the vibrancy of the city by improving the housing situation through a cooperative and proactive approach," says Faisal Anwar, the city's economic development officer. "This approach should allow organizations and agencies to bridge housing gaps identified from the housing needs assessment study."
Market rental, entry-level, student, transitional and accessible, seniors and subsidized rental housing were all identified as priorities for the city over the coming months.
"In the next five years there will be a need of 12 emergency shelters (group homes), 12 supportive and transitional homes, 287 subsidized rental units, 75 student housing units, 36 accessible housing units, 256 seniors units, 125 entry-level units, 800 market rental units and 500 ownership housing units," the report identifies.
"Municipalities alone cannot stimulate housing unless the support of the Federal governments and private sector is provided," but the city can do it's part to take steps in the right direction says Seeley and Skinner.
"The city can offer incentives and programs to encourage and facilitate the range of affordable, adequate and accessible housing options."
It can develop a land bank in conjunction with provincial/federal housing initiatives.
It can create an environment that encourages construction of affordable housing stock and it can also lobby senior tiers of government for housing programs that create affordable housing.
The new Yorkton housing plan will include the development of an annual business plan by the housing committee to implement strategies while establishing targets. Annual examination is crucial says Seeley as need change.
"These targets will not only bridge gaps in housing in the community but also keep a balance in the housing continuum."
In the past five years the City of Yorkton has experienced tremendous growth says Anwar. "This growth has drawn immigrants and others to the city. In 2011 the city's population was 18,471." This represents a growth rate of 2.62 per cent over 2010 and the growth is expected to continue.
"This community is facing a challenge of providing an affordable, adequate, suitable and accessible housing to its residents. A long-term solution to this challenging issue is needed. The solution must be built on four key pillars: putting people first; creating strong partnerships; supporting affordable options and being fiscally accountable."
The plan, just approved by the city will provide the direction needed to make this happen say committee members. "This plan outlines the vision, mission statement, goals, objectives and actions."
