Islanders invited to serve on Housing Council

Islanders can join a group that will help the provincial government make more affordable housing available across the province.

Members of the new Housing Council will advise cabinet and help implement government’s Housing Action Plan, announced last month. Islanders can apply to join the council through Engage PEI at www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/executive-council-office/engage-pei until September 14, 2018.

“Creating this council is a key step to carrying out the priorities of the Housing Action Plan,” Family and Human Services Minister Tina Mundy said.

“The council will help us achieve our goals by providing input and advice and working with all partners, including communities, municipalities, developers, landlords and the private sector on creative solutions to meet the housing needs of Islanders today and in the future.”

The Housing Council will:

• advise the Cabinet Committee on Housing;
• provide direction to the Housing Hub;
• provide advice on the newly created Community Housing Fund; and
• ensure the Housing Action Plan aligns with government’s goals for affordable housing.

“As chair of the Cabinet Committee on Housing, I look forward to working with the council members who will bring a range of knowledge, expertise and leadership skills related to addressing housing challenges,” Finance Minister Heath MacDonald said. “This council will play an important role in implementing the targets laid out in the housing action plan to create more housing options for Islanders.”

The Housing Action Plan includes immediate and long term targets and focuses on five goals: availability; affordability; sustainable communities; collaboration; and leadership. Some of the priority areas in the plan for immediate action include:

• 275 affordable housing units –available fiscal 2018/19 (part of the 1,000 new units over the next four years);
• 74  new seniors units: 44 in Charlottetown; 30 in Summerside –available spring 2019;
• 10 transitional housing units to support Islanders with mental health needs as they transition back into community life – available fall 2018;
• 100 new private nursing home beds to further improve access to long- term care for Island seniors - 50 available October 2018; 50 by June 2019;
• create an affordable housing loan fund for developers to build and maintain affordable housing units – fall 2018; and
• create a down payment assistance program for eligible modest income Islanders to get an interest free, repayable loan of up to five percent of the purchase price of a home for a down payment – fall 2018.

Visit www.princeedwardisland.ca/housing-action-plan to learn more.

Media contact:
Darlene Gillis
ddgillis@gov.pe.ca