Creativity a solution to housing crunch

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/04/2024 (891 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Everywhere in the country is in desperate need of new homes, and Brandon is no exception. We need to welcome the construction of several different types of housing such as market, community, transitional and emergency housing so that we can fulfil the needs of residents.

To do this, the City of Brandon will be working toward zoning and design regulations to enable housing choices, rather than limiting them. This will promote the establishment of affordable housing units and universally accessible units in new developments across the city.

I have heard time and time again from residents in Brandon that rent and mortgage rates are skyrocketing much faster than they can afford. The monthly price tag on a three-bedroom unit in Brandon has risen from $989 to $1,242 — this is an increase of more than $250 a month, not to mention the rising cost of everything else.

In Parliament, our Conservative Caucus has been focused on solutions to the housing crisis being felt by all Canadians. Our team has introduced Bill C-356 — An Act respecting payments by Canada and requirements in respect of housing and to amend certain other acts. This bill will provide a 100 per cent GST rebate on new residential rental property when the average rent payable is below market rate and will also eliminate executive bonuses unless housing targets are met. The element of Bill C-356 that is most important for the City of Brandon is the reallocation of $100 million from the Housing Accelerator Fund to municipalities that greatly exceed housing targets.

By giving more flexibility to how new housing can be built, it will undoubtedly increase the supply of housing for residents. These efforts coupled with making land available will ease the housing crunch that many are facing. The city recently listed a property for sale for $1 to a non-profit, government agency, or partnering agency. The currently vacant lot located at 215 12th St. North is a prime opportunity for affordable housing to be built in our community.

Brandon is home to several lots of land that are not being used to their full potential. There is a vast array of empty spaces and crumbling parking lots that would be much better served if these spaces were occupied by apartments that were affordable for students or seniors. Not to mention that building in already established areas is significantly cheaper as services such as water and power are already there.

The number of students who are enrolled at Brandon University has more than doubled since 2011, growing from 1,727 to 4,326 in 2023. Assiniboine Community College saw enrolment grow by almost 2,000 students since 2021. The concerning reality is we are running out of room for students who want to come to Brandon to learn and start their careers. It is clear we need to densify the areas around these institutions to allow room for both students and residents.

I am not calling for an eradication of single-detached zoning in Brandon. We must get creative with how we are building places for people to live. Promoting basement suites, and legalizing more apartment units and accessory dwelling units are paths that the City of Brandon can take to encourage housing growth in all areas of the city.

If passed, this bill will create incentives to get homes built across the country and will provide bonuses to cities like Brandon if we are proactive in our building approach.

Brandon is a wonderful home for so many people. To ensure that it can keep growing in a way that is accommodating to the needs of our residents, we must build it efficiently and cost-effectively.

LARRY MAGUIRE

MP for Brandon-Souris