Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan Implementation Framework
Share Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan Implementation Framework on FacebookShare Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan Implementation Framework on TwitterShare Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan Implementation Framework on LinkedinEmail Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan Implementation Framework link
The Action Plan Implementation Framework has been created to support the implementation of Wolfville's Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan.
What is the Housing Accelerator Fund?
The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is a federal program administered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). It provides funding to local governments to incentivize and support initiatives that accelerate housing supply. The Town of Wolfville is one of 150+ municipalities participating in the program and implementing an HAF-Action Plan.
This page describes Package 1. which aims to support the implementation of the first two action plan items (listed below). A second package will be available in June for the 3rd and 4th action plan items.
Community Engagement:
Open Houses are being held at the Wolfville Legion to share this work and obtain community feedback:
Thursday, May 22nd: 12-2pm, and 6:30-8:30pm
Monday, May 26th: 12:2pm, and 6:30-8:30pm
These open houses are open to the public. Everyone is welcome to attend, ask questions and share their ideas for Wolfville.
Accessibility: The Wolfville Legion is accessible via ramp and elevator. Accessible washrooms are on site.
A survey is available here. This survey is open to the public until June 2nd and is a chance for the Town to understand the community's input on the ideas presented in the Housing Accelerator Fund - Action PlanImplementation Framework, linked on the right.
This Action Plan consists of 4 key actions:
1. Reviewing and updating municipal planning documents to align with housing priorities to allow a wider mix of housing types in more areas of Town by simplifying planning processes and accelerating approvals. With changing population projections and housing needs across all demographics, updates to the Planning Documents will improve process for approving needed housing units through a gentle density approach.
This review includes:
Amend the Land Use Bylaw and zoning map / regulations to reduce barriers to housing development by permitting more housing types as-of-right or by site plan approval. This includes replacing the Low Density Residential (R-1) Restricted zone with a zone that permits more housing types.
Enabling gentle density through support for missing middle housing, like duplexes, townhomes, and small apartment buildings.
Expediting housing applications and waiving development fees to support housing development.
Conducting a Secondary Planning Process for the rail corridor lands to enable more development potential on lands within the downtown, while preserving the Harvest Moon Trail system.
2. Reviewing parking requirements to support housing viability, especially in walkable, serviced areas and the downtown. Minimum parking requirements can create a hindrance to commercial and residential development.
Complete a parking study to understand potential paths forward to reducing parking requirements in key areas.
Amend requirements for parking in strategic areas in an effort to reduce the cost burden of minimum parking standards as required in the current Land Use Bylaw, and opening more opportunities for commercial development in the downtown.
3. Encouraging and protecting non-market housing. Non-market housing includes cooperative housing, housing run by non-profit organizations focused on affordable housing, or provincial owned and subsidized housing. These types of housing offer permanently affordable housing options for low- and moderate-income households.
A Non-Market Housing Strategy will be created to support the retention of existing units, acquisition of housing by the non-market sector, and encourage the development of more non-market dwelling units. This Strategy will be informed by the Housing Needs Assessment, Non-Market Housing Working Group and Community Profile.
Key aspects of this work will include a Land Bank of Town owned land to be considered for non-market housing use, a Non-Market Grant program to provide financial support to non-market housing providers, and highest and best use analysis for town owned lands for the use of non-market housing to support with pre-development costs.
4. Partnering with Acadia University to explore student housing solutions that relieve pressure on the broader rental market and provide students with safe, suitable housing options.
Complete a Secondary Planning Strategy for the Town and Acadia University to identify and enable opportunities for residential development on the south-east campus (the lands near Crowell Tower).
The Action Plan Framework, linked to the right, describes different scenarios for implementing the Action Plan. These scenarios are presented in order to obtain community feedback on which scenarios are most palatable. A similar approach is taken for exploring options to improve the downtown, with ideas presented for feedback and exploration.
Next Steps:
Package 2 to be published during summer 2025
Summary of community feedback to be provided to Council, Spring/Summer 2025
Council to give direction on planning document amendments - Summer 2025
Staff to work on implementing Council's recommendations and putting together new/updated planning documents (Municipal Planning Strategy, Land Use Bylaw) Summer/Fall 2025
Additional engagement will occur on the proposed changes
The Action Plan Implementation Framework has been created to support the implementation of Wolfville's Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan.
What is the Housing Accelerator Fund?
The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is a federal program administered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). It provides funding to local governments to incentivize and support initiatives that accelerate housing supply. The Town of Wolfville is one of 150+ municipalities participating in the program and implementing an HAF-Action Plan.
This page describes Package 1. which aims to support the implementation of the first two action plan items (listed below). A second package will be available in June for the 3rd and 4th action plan items.
Community Engagement:
Open Houses are being held at the Wolfville Legion to share this work and obtain community feedback:
Thursday, May 22nd: 12-2pm, and 6:30-8:30pm
Monday, May 26th: 12:2pm, and 6:30-8:30pm
These open houses are open to the public. Everyone is welcome to attend, ask questions and share their ideas for Wolfville.
Accessibility: The Wolfville Legion is accessible via ramp and elevator. Accessible washrooms are on site.
A survey is available here. This survey is open to the public until June 2nd and is a chance for the Town to understand the community's input on the ideas presented in the Housing Accelerator Fund - Action PlanImplementation Framework, linked on the right.
This Action Plan consists of 4 key actions:
1. Reviewing and updating municipal planning documents to align with housing priorities to allow a wider mix of housing types in more areas of Town by simplifying planning processes and accelerating approvals. With changing population projections and housing needs across all demographics, updates to the Planning Documents will improve process for approving needed housing units through a gentle density approach.
This review includes:
Amend the Land Use Bylaw and zoning map / regulations to reduce barriers to housing development by permitting more housing types as-of-right or by site plan approval. This includes replacing the Low Density Residential (R-1) Restricted zone with a zone that permits more housing types.
Enabling gentle density through support for missing middle housing, like duplexes, townhomes, and small apartment buildings.
Expediting housing applications and waiving development fees to support housing development.
Conducting a Secondary Planning Process for the rail corridor lands to enable more development potential on lands within the downtown, while preserving the Harvest Moon Trail system.
2. Reviewing parking requirements to support housing viability, especially in walkable, serviced areas and the downtown. Minimum parking requirements can create a hindrance to commercial and residential development.
Complete a parking study to understand potential paths forward to reducing parking requirements in key areas.
Amend requirements for parking in strategic areas in an effort to reduce the cost burden of minimum parking standards as required in the current Land Use Bylaw, and opening more opportunities for commercial development in the downtown.
3. Encouraging and protecting non-market housing. Non-market housing includes cooperative housing, housing run by non-profit organizations focused on affordable housing, or provincial owned and subsidized housing. These types of housing offer permanently affordable housing options for low- and moderate-income households.
A Non-Market Housing Strategy will be created to support the retention of existing units, acquisition of housing by the non-market sector, and encourage the development of more non-market dwelling units. This Strategy will be informed by the Housing Needs Assessment, Non-Market Housing Working Group and Community Profile.
Key aspects of this work will include a Land Bank of Town owned land to be considered for non-market housing use, a Non-Market Grant program to provide financial support to non-market housing providers, and highest and best use analysis for town owned lands for the use of non-market housing to support with pre-development costs.
4. Partnering with Acadia University to explore student housing solutions that relieve pressure on the broader rental market and provide students with safe, suitable housing options.
Complete a Secondary Planning Strategy for the Town and Acadia University to identify and enable opportunities for residential development on the south-east campus (the lands near Crowell Tower).
The Action Plan Framework, linked to the right, describes different scenarios for implementing the Action Plan. These scenarios are presented in order to obtain community feedback on which scenarios are most palatable. A similar approach is taken for exploring options to improve the downtown, with ideas presented for feedback and exploration.
Next Steps:
Package 2 to be published during summer 2025
Summary of community feedback to be provided to Council, Spring/Summer 2025
Council to give direction on planning document amendments - Summer 2025
Staff to work on implementing Council's recommendations and putting together new/updated planning documents (Municipal Planning Strategy, Land Use Bylaw) Summer/Fall 2025
Additional engagement will occur on the proposed changes
