The housing incentive grant bylaw has received second and third reading from the Town of Bonnyville Council following amendments to the original bylaw.
The bylaw was first presented in front of council at the Oct. 8 council meeting where it received its first reading.
Council question-and-answer period was largely focused on how to ensure the money is spent properly and projects aren’t abandoned.
Following the meeting, the draft of the bylaw was sent to legal counsel for further review. The bylaw presented to council during the Nov. 12 meeting included a number of amendments.
- Modifications to Section 3 definitions to assist with the readability of the Bylaw.
- Modified Section 4 to be the Term of the Grant and Added the Criteria under Section 5. The term now expires Dec. 31st, 2025 and the funding maximizes at $500,000.00 (reviewed annually).
- Section 5 Criteria is now divided into qualifying criteria for the applicant and qualifying criteria for the property to assist with clarity.
- In Section 6 has been updated to include additional wording to give greater guidance on the process for applying for a permit and the Town's response to applications.
- Section 7 has been updated as well with additional wording to provide greater guidance on the process the Town will follow in reviewing applications as well as a timeline.
- Section 8 incorporates additional timelines to help limit the risk of the Town paying out a significant amount of the grant funding and a house not being completed. Payment amounts and timelines for the payments have also been identified.
- Section 9 has been changed from an appeal mechanism to provide for a review to Council.
- Section 10 has been revised to ensure that a new registered owner can only receive grant funding if they meet the qualifications of an applicant under the Bylaw.
The changes to the bylaw were something Bonnyville Mayor Elisa Brosseau was happy to see.
“I’m really happy that we took our time and that we were able to at least get some legal council, I think it puts me a little more at ease. I think going forward, I know I spoke with administration, maybe that’s something we’ll do right off the hop,” she said.
The total amount of the grant is $25,000 and will be received in three parts for owners and those building to live in the house.
- The town will pay the owner $5,000 when confirmation from a qualified safety codes inspector that the foundation of the project is complete, and any deficiencies are remedied.
- The town will pay the owner $7,500 when confirmation from a qualified safety codes inspector that the framing of the project is complete, and any deficiencies are remedied.
- The remaining $12,500 will be paid by the town when confirmation from a qualified safety codes inspector that an occupancy permit has been issued for the Project.
While housing developers will receive the $25,000 when confirmation from a qualified safety codes inspector that the foundation of the project is complete, and any deficiencies are remedied.
The town has begun considering applications for this grant after the bylaw received its third reading.
Read More: Lloydminster chase the ace at $103.8K – Meridian Source
Locally owned and community driven, the Lloydminster Meridian Source is the online news source in the Border City. Whether it’s breaking news, features or sports, if you have questions about what’s going on around town, Source it with us!
Since online platforms no longer support the sharing of news, we encourage you to bookmark meridiansource.ca. Whether you’re having a coffee or enjoying a meal, check in any time for the most up-to-date news in Lloydminster.
