Information on the Housing Accelerator Fund initiatives and incentives proposed

There will be a Public Presentation on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025 at 6 p.m. at the Miramichi Kin Centre regarding the Housing Accelerator Fund initiatives and proposed incentives.

This Public Presentation is a required step in the Municipal Act for by-law changes. While there will be other meetings and discussions over the next few weeks, this is the first public part of the process.

The City will also be hosting a Public Open House to provide information on the various Housing Accelerator Fund initiatives and incentives proposed, including the by-law revisions on: September 25th, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Miramichi Agricultural Exhibition Center, 24 Church Street, Miramichi.

Residents may also provide feedback as part of the required Public Hearing which will take place October 8th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Beaverbrook Kin Centre, 100 Newcastle Boulevard, Miramichi.

The information below is a basic description of the proposals that will be presented along with examples. Residents are encouraged to attend these meetings to learn the full details.

1. Implementation of ADU Zoning Campaign:

• The City has made the necessary changes to the zoning by-law to allow accessory dwelling units (like basement apartments or backyard suites) in residential areas

• There is discussion on offering financial incentives to help homeowners with the costs of creating these units

• A community example: A homeowner could convert their basement into a small apartment or build a tiny home in their backyard to rent

2. Infill Housing Incentive Program

• The City proposes to refund building permit fees for new affordable housing built on empty lots within City limits

• This would make it cheaper for developers to build homes in areas that already have services like water and power

• A community example.: A developer could build affordable townhouses on vacant lots in an area with services and get their permit fees back to help make the project financially viable

3. End Exclusionary Zoning

• The City is proposing to allow more housing density in areas that can handle it

• Residential zones that previously only allowed big single-family homes would be required to allow at least 4-unit buildings

• A community ex.: In established neighbourhoods a developer could build a small 4-unit apartment building instead of just single-family homes, providing more options for housing

4. Housing Inclusion in Regional Commercial Zoning

• The City proposes allowing mixed-use buildings ( stores/ shops on the bottom and apartments on top) in commercial areas

• This was previously not permitted but would create more housing in walkable, convenient locations

• Our community example: A new building in a predominently commercial ara could have a café or retail shop on the ground floor with two to three apartments upstairs

5. Creation of a Workforce Housing Incentive Program

• The City proposes giving developers cash payments when they finish rental housing projects

• Current gap is between $850 Social Development subsidized rate and $1,500 per month per unit

• Our community example : A developer building apartments for hospital staff, teachers, labourers would receive city funding to keep rents affordable for essential workers

6. Preapproved Building Plans for Missing Middle Housing

• The City plans to create ready-to-use building plans for medium-sized housing (duplexes, small apartment buildings)

• Developers could use these plans without going through lengthy approval processes

• A community example: An individual wanting to build a duplex could choose from pre-approved city designs, skip months of planning approvals, and start building immmediately

7. Integrated Housing & Infrastructure Acceleration Incentive Policy

• The City proposes combining housing and infrastructure projects in a coordinated approach

• Would ensure new housing developments have proper water, sewer, and other services

• A community example: The City would plan water and other service system upgrades in an area with none and coordinate with developers to build new housing at the same time, ensuring everything is properly connected and reducing costs for all involved

8. 4 “as of right” Rezone Fully Serviced Properties for Higher Density

• The City proposes as a requirement of the Housing Accelerator Fund, changing zoning rules so that properties with full water and sewer services automatically allow 4-unit buildings instead of the current limit of 3 units - R1 designations allow for 2 "as of right" and R2 designations allow for 3 "as of right"

• This would be "as of right" zoning, meaning no special permits or council approval needed

• A community example: A property owner with city water and sewer could automatically build a 4-plex instead of a triplex, creating one more rental unit without needing to go through rezoning applications or public hearings

The draft by-laws can be found here and a management report presented at the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, August 12th, 2025 can be found here.