On April 16, 2025, Town Council endorsed the Town’s Housing Needs Assessment (HNA), March 2025.  The purpose of the HNA is to identify the greatest housing needs in our community, and the type of housing that is needed to provide suitable, adequate and affordable housing. 

The HNA is a federal requirement for the Town to receive funding through the Canada Community-Building Fund, the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), and future federal transit and infrastructure funding.  The HNA is required to be updated every five years. 

The Town’s HNA identifies the need for more housing options and affordable housing within the Town, particularly geared towards seniors and younger families.  Furthermore, the HNA outlines a number of initiatives and strategies the Town is currently undertaking and should pursue to address the Town’s housing needs. 

The Housing Strategy was divided into two phases:  

• Phase 1: Housing Background Report – analysis of housing needs and supply in the Town; and 
• Phase 2: Housing Strategy – address the challenges and close gaps between housing needs and supply and identify policy directions to provide for a full range of housing within the Town. 

Earlier this year, the Town was awarded $8 million from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) program in support of the National Housing Strategy. The Town has formed an agreement to complete seven (7) local HAF initiatives and other associated projects, to create additional housing while supporting long-term systemic changes in the Town.