The province is taking over the development approval process for nine areas in Halifax, for a potential 22,600 new residential units set to be shovel ready between 2022 and 2024.
The special planning areas are located at:
- former Penhorn Mall lands, 950 units
- Southdale/Mount Hope, 1,200 units
- Bedford West 10, 1,300 units
- Bedford West 1 and 12, 2,500 units
- Port Wallace, up to 4,900 units
- Indigo Shores, 150 building lots
- Morris Lake expansion, 3,100 units
- Dartmouth Crossing, 2,500 units
- Sandy Lake, 6,000 units.
John Lohr, Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister, says housing is an issue everywhere, but especially a major problem in the Halifax region.
“We need to act now to address it,” he says. “These nine special planning areas could offer a significant number of new homes for people in the region.”
Lohr says it could save months, or even years, of approval time.
He also announced $2.3 million in spending for Halifax to conduct environmental, land-use suitability, transportation, and infrastructure studies to support future planning and development.
Mike Savage, Mayor of Halifax, says he’s pleased with the announcement.
“The nine areas announced today are within communities designated for growth through the municipal regional planning process,” he says.
Lohr says all the projects are subject to regular permitting, fees, and regulatory requirements under the Housing in the Halifax Regional Municipality Act.
He says the housing deficit in Halifax is estimated to be at least 17,000 units and is growing.
Lohr says they’ve spoken to 31 developers, industry representatives, and community agencies, and 41 potential developments are being considered.
