As Matthewson explained, there is a lack of housing while at the same time the community has a few large businesses that want to expand. They need a place for their workforce. According to median population growth there would be a need for 92 more housing units over 20 years, and more if it speeds up.
“There is absolutely no place for a small family to rent,” Matthewson said, “certainly not at a price point they can afford. We can get one built at a $2,000 a month rent, but that doesn’t work for people coming in for employment.”
She said the main need is apartment units for working class families. Even when an employer hires someone, they will stay in the other community and drive to work, which does not help Boissevain-Morton.
Matthewson added there are now grant opportunities out there that benefit developers, which is the first time she had seen that.
Council has talked about tax incentive, grant and land support for developers to help the process. A benefit of building in town is that the expanding businesses mean a stable market.
Right now, 84% of homes in Boissevain-Morton are single detached homes, with only 21% rental housing. There are waiting lists for apartments.
Matthewson said what they are looking to create is partnerships with contractors/developers to build in the community, to make sure the housing needs get met. They want creative solutions, and there are different ways to go about it. There could be shared projects between different contractors. There could be modular and prefab options, or there could be a non-profit partnership to unlock additional funding streams.
When asked what people wanted, Matthewson said the number they were given was under $1,000 rent, with $700 being great. This immediately brought blowback from contractors, who said the numbers were not feasible. Matthewson said there would have to be subsidies from the available grants, and admitted this was what some people wanted, but might not be a realistic option.
“People have to be able to make money,” Swanson explained. “We don’t want low income housing.”
There are several different financial opportunities. The Apartment Construction Loan Program provides loans for rental project, in which the build would need at least five units. The meeting showed off about half a dozen of these possibilities. Some involved cooperatives like the Cherry Creek Place, others smaller apartment buildings.
There are several possible spots available, including lots in the west end of town and at Highways #3 and 10. Some need to have water and sewer, and some might need to be built up as well.
Discussions later moved into different ideas, partnerships and the possible role for the municipality. Swanson stressed they wanted to help developers as much as they could, while being mindful there were others who had already invested in the community. She added they were open to many different types – small houses, different numbers of bedrooms/bathrooms, number of apartment units.
“We’re just looking for ideas and proposals, ‘this is what I’m looking at’, and to sit down with council. We’re looking at more of a partnership to get this thing started,” Swanson said.
Matthewson said they wanted to involve the local contractors first, and only go outside if necessary.
There is also the “housing shift” concept. Seniors who are not ready for active living, but cannot handle their homes need a place to move. If that were built, that would open up their homes to renters and buyers.
The key is to build what people want or need. As was said, no one wants to build “an ugly apartment no one wants to live in.”
Contractors were given handouts on the different funding options, and forms for expression of interest to develop rental housing. As Matthewson stressed, she or council were not developers and were not telling them what to build. They were looking for ideas and concrete proposals as soon as possible to get shovel ready and prepared for possible grants, as well as the upcoming municipal budget.
“Whatever you have in mind, take it to council or go to Lorri,” Swanson said. “It is fair to say the community is solid and open to build and a good investment. It will continue to grow. We know you guys are the contractors, you know what to build.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff