Halifax council cool on assuming affordable housing responsibility

A Halifax councillor thinksthe idea of community landtrustsshould be consideredas a way forHalifax to encourage the development of affordable housing.

But not all of her colleagues are on board.

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The issue was raised at a meeting of the community planning and economic development committee.

"What it means is ...public land,it's kept in public ownership," said Peninsula NorthCoun.Jennifer Watts. "But it may be leased or conveyed in differentways to a group or groups who are non-profits that use it for affordable housing options."

Land trusts used other areas

According to Watts, community land trusts have been used in other parts of Canada, the United States andBritain.

City planners say the issue of affordable housing is already being studied by a housing partnership committeeheaded up by the United Way organization.It plans to have a reportready in the fall.

"My suggestion would be to let that group look into it,"said Bob Bjerke. "When they startreporting, they'll have a whole suite of options, that might be one of them."

Members of the committee agree the idea could be studied.But some are waryabout Halifax taking on the affordable housing portfolio.

"I think we're into a slippery slope and getting back into something we just got ourselvesout of," said Coun.David Hendsbee, who representsPreston-Chezzetcook-Eastern Shore.

Affordable housing not city responsibility

"Vancouver may have the authority given to it by the province. We do not have the housingresponsibility, the Nova Scotia government takes that on."

Community planning committee chairmanCoun.Waye Masonagreed it'sa provincial jurisdiction.But Mason believes within a couple of years the municipality may be required to have aserious discussion with provincial officials about doing housing differently.

"I think there's a reason why every other major city in the country controls housing,admittedly with hundreds of millions of dollars being given to the city to do that."Mason said."I'm not convinced personally that how we do this in the province of Nova Scotia works."

Other members of the committee suggested the city has enough on its plate.

"I don't support any money going that way," said Coun. Steve Adams ofSpryfield-Sambro Loop-ProspectRoad."Quite frankly until we get our lines painted properlyand our snow removal done we should stay out of stuff we're not supposed to be involvedwith."