More details have been released about the Municipal Affairs Amendment Act or Bill 20. As Meghan Cobb reports, the bill will also have an impact on housing development in Alberta.This includes amending the Municipal Government Act to exempt all non-profit, subsidized affordable housing units from municipal, education and provincial taxes.
Alberta Municipalities said in an emailed statement on Wednesday that the changes to Bill 20 will help accelerate affordable housing projects but they aren’t enough to address the affordable housing crisis. “The UCP have prioritized centralizing power over addressing the housing crisis, the healthcare crisis, and ensuring Albertans can afford to pay their bills,” Irwin said in a statement.
“My mind really goes to the federal restrictions on some of the funding that we could receive. As a city, we’ve been able to deliver hundreds of units of desperately needed affordable and permanent supportive and housing due to direct funding relationships with the federal government. Anything that puts that at risk I think is very concerning.
“We really urge the province of AB to put a stop on these two pieces of legislation, consult with municipalities, get our input, consult with other stakeholders, like the universities, and then bring back something that may work for everyone. I think it could be a win-win situation for everyone if there’s a little pause on it and a thoughtful approach to engagement and getting input.
“The UCP will allow developers to call the shots, which could increase prices for non-subsidized units. These changes won’t prioritize what communities need, which is affordable housing,” she said.