Diverse Housing options one of the topics at RD Council

At the Monday, February 10, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting, some of the topics discussed were diverse housing options, municipal controls and citizen representatives to the Audit Committee.

Here is a report of that meeting.

REPORTS: 

• Grant Update  
  Council directed administration, as a result of a tie vote, to move forward with the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF2) application, recognizing the need for more diverse housing options in Red Deer. If selected, The City will use the initial funding to engage with the community, ensuring that the implementation of four units as-of-right aligns with local housing needs. 

• While the grant requirements limit municipal control, Council remains committed to balanced growth that considers infrastructure, parking, and neighborhood impacts. The City anticipates an announcement from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) on all successful applicants across Canada by end of fiscal year.

• In the fall, The City of Red Deer applied for the Housing Accelerator Fund 2 (HAF2) with the goal of increasing housing supply and affordability while maintaining local decision-making. The application was based on the understanding that funding was contingent on allowing four units as-of-right in residential zones, but there was initial uncertainty around the flexibility of implementation.  

• The City plans to use the first funding disbursement to engage in robust public consultation and develop regulations tailored to Red Deer’s unique needs. 

BYLAWS: 

Committees Bylaw 3576/A-2025 Update (3 Readings) 

• Council passed three readings of an updated Committees Bylaw. The changes will add two citizen representatives to the Audit Committee and one Lived Experience member to the Housing and Homelessness Integration Committee. These changes are intended to strengthen public participation and improve operational efficiency for the respective committees. 

**With information provided by The City of Red Deer.