By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Mount Pearl City Council passed a motion at its April 28 public meeting to provide some upfront funding and waive permit fees for a proposed affordable seniors housing project.
Masonic Park is a non-profit, affordable seniors housing project that administration said would account for just under 50 per cent of the City’s affordable housing commitment when completed. The project’s completion is anticipated in early 2027.
“This is a great opportunity,” said councillor Bill Antle, who put forth the motion to waive associated permit fees for the project up to $50,000 and to provide $50,000 in up front funding from the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF).
“Masonic Park is looking for some funding and we are looking for some housing, so we are working hand in hand with Masonic Park,” said Antle.
Antle pointed out that the HAF money would usually be handed out upon receiving the occupancy permit, based on the program guidelines, but that the recommendation stems from the project’s strong alignment with HAF objectives, its focus on building affordable seniors housing and its projected significant contribution toward meeting the city’s affordable housing targets.
Administration highlights that this would mirror previous supports incentives provided under the program, specifically support for the Columbus Centre, a proposed 20-unit affordable housing project in Mount Pearl.
“There’s certainly a demand for seniors housing, certainly for affordable seniors housing,” Mayor Dave Aker said.
In 2024, the City of Mount Pearl, in partnership with the Government of Canada, entered into a HAF agreement to expedite the construction of 180 housing units, with a cumulative target of 386 units by 2027. The agreement is designed to remove barriers and accelerate housing delivery by modernizing policies, streamlining permitting processes, and providing targeted incentives to support new construction and redevelopment. From the launch of the HAF program in 2024 through the end of the third reporting period, Mount Pearl has achieved 35 per cent of the housing supply growth target established through the agreement with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
The fund is a partnership initiative with the federal government designed to help address the ongoing housing crisis across Canada, according to the administrative report in the April 28 agenda. The program focuses on accelerating housing delivery, with a particular emphasis on higher-density developments that can be brought to market more quickly.
“As part of its participation in the HAF program, the City of Mount Pearl has announced a suite of incentives aimed at supporting both private developers and non-profit organizations undertaking housing projects within the city,” reads the agenda report.
Mount Pearl published the annual report for Year Two of the HAF initiative in April.
The report states that 134 net new housing units have been permitted toward the overall HAF commitment of 386 units.
“With 252 units remaining to reach the full target, the City is well positioned to continue building on this progress as additional projects advance through the development and permitting process over the remaining program period,” reads the report.
