The federal and provincial governments are partnering up to build up to 1,200 new homes through the Build Canada Homes program.
“This agreement marks the single largest investment in affordable housing in New Brunswick’s history,” David Hickey said in a media release, who is the minister responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation. “Our government is committed to transforming housing in this province, and today that means ensuring an unprecedented number of New Brunswickers will have access to safe and affordable housing.”
The program was launched, according to the release, to increase the country’s affordable housing supply for lower-and-middle income Canadians. It also aims to help with homelessness by supporting transitional and supportive housing, done in cooperation with territorial, municipal governments, as well as Indigenous communities.
The federal and provincial government have reached a cost-matching agreement that will provide about $300 million in total funding, according to the Government of New Brunswick (GNB). Priority has been given to “shovel ready” projects that can begin within 12 months.
“Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home,” Premier Susan Holt said.
The Holt government submitted a proposal to the Build Canada Homes program, which included several housing projects across New Brunswick.
“This partnership between the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together to tackle the housing crisis head-on,” federal Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson said in the release.
According to the federal government, 160 homes will go toward transitional and supportive housing, with almost half the total supporting low-income Canadians. Up to another 450 will be in smaller and rural areas. The federal release said it will work with municipalities across New Brunswick to remove barriers to construction.
“This includes measures such as reduced or waived development fees, expedited permitting processes and temporary property tax relief, where available,” the release said.
It is expected to utilize modular home construction, prefabrication and other off site building techniques to expedite the process, according to the release.
