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City moves forward with affordable housing strategic plan

The City of Quesnel is working towards a plan to add more affordable housing.

The City of Quesnel is working towards a plan to add more affordable housing.

At Monday’s council meeting, city planner Tanya Turner presented a report providing the council with a draft to seek their direction.

The draft presented priorities to council members as well as a list of commitment items from various agencies.

“The City of Quesnel received a grant from the Real Estate Foundation of BC to undertake an Affordable Housing Strategy,” the report stated.

The report had 13 points, under three categories.

“The partner commitment items have been separated into three sections for council review,” Turner said.

“Straightforward and/or already in progress; financial implications by way of land sales or acquisitions; and require further consultations, visioning and planning as well as potential financial implications.”

The first section contained six points:

• lobby for grants and funding

• provide expertise

• execute procedures quickly

• research

• consider policy change regarding secondary suites

• support initiatives to increase supportive housing

The second section, financial implications by way of land sales or acquisitions presented four points:

• raise funds for land

• acquire real estate

• provide a serviced location

• sell unneeded land for market development

The third section, require further consultation, visioning and planning as well as potential financial implications showed the last three points;

• create planning incentives

• waive DCCs in certain areas

• permissive tax exemptions

Coun. Ed Coleman suggested bringing this strategic plan to the our Quesnel process, which has seen the city ask the community for recommendations on how they see the city moving forward.

 

Look for updates in your Observer.