Housing: Affordable Housing

• Housing is a basic need and access to safe, affordable housing is an important determining factor for a person’s health. (Ontario Public Health, Action on Housing Needs)
• Limited high-density housing, such as apartment buildings, reduces affordable options, while housing prices remain disproportionately higher than in other parts of the region.
  
• The housing shortage and high prices, coupled with increasing costs of living (utilities, taxes, etc.) have resulted in many young families, low-income earners and seniors being unable to afford to live in PEC.
• Pressure from developers and investors is resulting in “gentrification” of neighbourhoods and displacement of current residents.
• The dream of home ownership in PEC is becoming increasingly remote for first-time home buyers.
• The PEC labour market is also affected. The Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce survey at May 15, 2023 reported 32% of 1041 employers do not have sufficient housing for staff.
• Lack of attainable and affordable housing is a deterrent to attracting doctors and health care workers.
• The Hub Child Centre, the only provider of early education and licensed daycare in our community, is struggling to meet demand due to lack of space and staffing, with the lack of affordable housing in the area being a factor.
  

County Housing Plan (May 2023)

The inaugural County Housing Plan in 2023 sets policy and targets for affordable housing to 2028. The plan was developed in partnership with 15 community agencies. It documents income, demographic trends and housing stock through the full range of the housing spectrum from emergency, supportive and subsidized housing to affordable rental housing stock and the services which support residents with housing insecurity.  County Housing Plan

Affordable Housing Corporation: The Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation was formed as part of the County Council’s strategic plan goal to build livable communities with affordable housing.

Worker Housing: There is a negotiation currently in process which if successful would provide for the PEC Affordable Housing Corporation to construct worker housing specific to the retail, hospitality, agricultural, and wine sectors in the County to accommodate their seasonal workers.

Supported Housing: People with disabilities and seniors need affordable housing which support them in being active and independent members of the community.

Health care professionals: Currently PEC is experiencing a shortage of health care professionals and lack of attainable housing is a deterrent to recruitment. Rental housing for new medical professionals is proposed as an incentive. These would be at market rates. In addition, the Doctor Accommodation Network (DAN) provides housing for locums and new physicians, offering vital relief for family doctors.

More New Housing Starts and Higher Density Construction: There is an urgent need for a diverse range of affordable housing models, including shared housing, rentals, co-ops, elder care support, as well as subsidized, worker, and publicly funded emergency housing. Prince Edward County is projecting a 333% increase in housing starts across The County in the next six years compared the previous six years. That boom is putting pressure on municipal services, notably aging water infrastructure. 

Faster permitting process: Use of e-Permitting Software will automate and speed up the building permit process.

Municipal Financial Relief Grant. Low-income residents can apply for the Municipal Financial Relief Grant  to receive credits on water/wastewater services or municipal property taxes.

By-Law Changes:

• PEC Council approved amendments to the municipality’s comprehensive zoning by-law to support the development of affordable and attainable housing. (March 2022)
  https://mailchi.mp/pecounty/notice-county-amends-zoning-by-law-to-encourage-affordable-and-attainable-housing
• Pilot Project: PEC Council approved a pilot project to encourage the development of secondary suites to ease the housing and rental shortages. (February 2022) https://www.quintenews.com/2022/02/10/279983/
  
• Bunk houses are now deemed a permitted use under Tourist Commercial zoning. Tourism-related businesses to be able to construct and rent apartment-style housing to their employees, in the form of housing known as bunk houses. (July 2022).
  https://www.countylive.ca/bunk-houses-for-tourism-related-businesses-to-help-with-housing/
• A new municipal capital facilities bylaw, a tool promoted by the province, encourages private sector and not-for-profit affordable housing development. https://www.countylive.ca/new-bylaw-could-encourage-affordable-housing/
  

New construction will not be able to keep pace with demand, and high building costs result in housing prices that are not within an affordable range for many. By creating a multitude of housing opportunities, the supply of housing available within the County can more effectively respond to local housing needs and changes in demand.  However, provincial regulations determine many of the steps that municipalities can take regarding housing.

Alternative housing models include repurposing existing structures, homeshare, house-matching, cohousing,  bunk houses,  secondary suites & units, workaway, shelter pods and sleeping cabins.

Homeshare and house-matching systems can match accommodations with tenants, vet tenants, and deal with administration.  This would potentially remove barriers to availing surplus accommodation, and provide benefits for both homeowners and tenants.  Examples of homesharing are between seniors and students or seasonal workers. See Homeshare Canada, including a pilot for Hastings Prince Edward.

Cohousing or studio housing combines the autonomy of compact self contained private dwellings with the benefits of shared, spacious community amenities. Some have a special focus (e.g., for seniors) but many are intergenerational with a mix of family types and ages. This is the concept behind Pinecrest Housing. See Canadian Cohousing Network.

Abbeyfield Houses provide affordable accommodation and companionship for lonely elders within their own local community. This is achieved by converting and maintaining houses in which, typically, a small group of residents live together with a house manager. Rooms are usually private, but housekeeping and meals are provided by a small staff in the common living space. Each house is a non-profit, registered charity. House ownership and support are undertaken by community volunteers. Abbeyfield is a non-denominational and inclusive organization.

Secondary suites add gentle density at lower building costs, accommodate tenants or multi-generation families, and generate income for homeowners.  PEC has encouraged secondary suites through bylaw changes and financial incentives. See "Are garden suites part of the housing crisis solution?"

Backyard units: Airbnb Inc. has a new startup, known as Samara, that plans to sell factory-produced studio and one-bedroom units to homeowners to add to their backyards. This is being tested in California, spurred by surging home prices and ballooning rents.

Workaway connects workawayers with hosts who could benefit from the socialization, household help, and/or the income. A Workawayer is a traveller who wants to give back to the communities and places they visit. Open to helping hosts and using the experience to learn and immerse in the local culture.

Bunk houses for the purpose of housing seasonal, temporary tourism workers are now deemed a permitted use under PEC's Tourist Commercial zoning.

Tiny homes have the potential to provide alternative affordable housing.  In some communities, Habitat for Humanity provides students the opportunity to gain real-life work experience building tiny homes under the instruction of industry professionals.

Shelter pods and sleeping cabins provide emergency accommodation in some communities.