The City of Quinte West is rolling out help to tackle rising affordable housing needs through a new CIP stream. /City of Quinte West photo
The City of Quinte West is rolling out a new initiative aimed at tackling soaring demand for more affordable housing locally.
“The housing community improvement plan (CIP) is a new opportunity for homeowners, developers and investors to support the city’s efforts to create a stronger, more livable community,” said Brian Jardine, the city’s director of planning and development services.
The city has also announced its accepting applications through the CIP program for the spring intake now, with five streams offering a range of potential financial incentives to support the creation of more affordable housing options. City staff said the program aims to help offset key development costs, such as property taxes, development charges, and planning and building permit fees.
The goal is to also support homeowners in building additional dwelling units and provide surplus city-owned land at below-market value to non-profit developers for projects that increase affordable housing supply, added staff.
Additional objectives of the program include stimulating construction of purpose-built rental housing and increasing rental supply in strategic growth areas. The hope is to support non-profit and private sector rental developers, leverage municipal incentives to advance housing objectives, optimize use of municipally-owned lands, and ultimately support long-term rental housing stability, the city states online.
The spring intake is open until May 25. There will also be a fall intake with details still to be announced.
Homeowners, investors and developers can learn more via the city’s website.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
