Amherst gets $2.2M in federal funding to streamline home construction

Amherst Mayor Praises Federal Funding for Housing Development

The mayor of Amherst, N.S., is excited about the federal funding that will allow the town to expedite the construction of much-needed housing, ultimately boosting the community’s growth and development.

Mayor Rob Small expressed his gratitude for the $2.2 million in funding from the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund. This financial support will enable the town to fast-track the construction of 67 homes within the next three years, with plans to build a total of 300 housing units over the next decade.

“Housing is a crucial element for the growth of our local economy and town,” Mayor Small emphasized in a recent interview. “This influx of funding will likely result in the most significant growth that Amherst has seen in many years.”

The Housing Accelerator Fund is part of a $4.4 billion initiative aimed at expediting the construction of housing units to address the housing crisis in Canada. In addition to Amherst, other Nova Scotia towns such as Bridgewater and Mahone Bay have also received substantial funding to support their housing projects.

Mayor Small highlighted the impact of the housing shortage on local businesses, noting that employers are struggling to fill job vacancies due to the lack of available housing options. This scarcity of housing is not only affecting the workforce but also impacting sectors such as healthcare, education, and other industries in the area.

“In order to attract people to our town, we need to have adequate housing options for them,” Mayor Small explained. “This funding will significantly improve the current situation in Amherst for years to come.”

As part of the federal program, municipalities are required to develop an action plan that outlines targets for housing supply growth and specific initiatives to increase housing availability and streamline approval processes.

Overall, the mayor of Amherst is optimistic about the positive impact that the federal funding will have on the town’s housing development efforts. With a focus on building more homes quickly and efficiently, Amherst is poised for substantial growth and prosperity in the coming years.