Engagement

The Town of Stratford in Prince Edward Island, Canada, has received $1.1M, funded by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to take part in the Housing Supply Challenge (HSC). The goal of this project is to find innovative solutions to barriers around new housing supply.

Did you know, the Town of Stratford is anticipating needing 4,000 more housing units by 2041 in order to keep up with population demand? The reality is, change is needed to ensure everyone in the community has a safe place to call home.

More housing density in a community has many benefits including…

• Seniors can stay in their own community near friends and family
• More job opportunities within the Town
• More affordability
• Young people can remain in the community
• Positive environmental impacts including less roads and sewer and water infrastructure, the opportunity for shared green spaces, and economies that come with building closer together.
• More transportation options including additional transit, active transportation and other networks that rely less in the need for everyone to have a car.

What has been completed since the project began?

• Actively engaging with members of the wider community including residents
• Established 3 advisory groups: a Working Group to oversee the overall project, an Affordable Housing Task Force to delve into the policies and procedures, and in Inter-municipal Committee for wider sharing and learning across a number of participating Island municipalities
• Hosting an open house and a number of online surveys
• Encouraging conversation on the Shape Stratford website
• Reviewing and developing material, checklists and other content to assist the Town’s planning department and those looking to develop in our community
• Publishing ongoing series of course materials to allow for the general public, planning board and council members to learn more about the planning process in an open, engaging and easily accessible format at their own pace.
• So much more!