Summerside making affordable housing crunch a top priority

Weeks after being sworn in, Summerside's new council is making the city's housing shortage a priority, with plans to begin work immediately on an affordable housing policy.

"Some people don't think this is a city level problem," saidpolicy and bylaw review committee chair Carrie Adams after a meeting Monday. "But we're the closest to the people. We're the ones that are there, we're the ones that are listening to their needs."

Working with province, developers

The most recent numbers from the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation indicate a rental vacancy rate of 0.9 per cent inSummerside.

Adams said sheexpects the committee to look atfeasible short-term solutions to help address the housing shortage, but said it's also important to take a longer-term view.

"We also have to look at putting the policies, bylaws in place for the future, so that we don't run into this kind of an issue again."

Adams said she recognizesthat the province is also working to address the issuewith its ownhousing action plan. She said the committee plans to workwith the province, as well as with developers.

'Of vital importance to our residents'

Adams didn't know what the city's affordable housing policy will look like, or what ideas will be explored. She said a range of ideas and issues will likelybe discussed when the committee meets on Wednesday.

"We are just going to put everything out there, and then see what we can do," shesaid.

"It's not something we want to rush, but it's not something we're going to drag on either. It's something that we're going to move onquickly, because it is of vital importance to our residents."

More P.E.I. news