Repurposing commercial spaces brings housing closer to places of work and amenities.
The City of Fredericton has introduced plans to create more affordable housing options for low-and-middle income wage earners by introducing flexible zoning in traditionally commercial corridors. Focusing on the areas surrounding Prospect Street, Bishop Drive, and St. Mary’s Street, this Workforce Housing Initiative will provide attainable housing close to areas of employment and well connected to other services and amenities.
Designated growth areas in the city identified through the Imagine Fredericton Municipal Plan and Growth Strategy and are now being reviewed to transform under-used commercial lands into residential and mixed-use developments. Taking advantage of these under-used spaces is an innovative approach that exemplifies Fredericton’s leadership in addressing housing affordability and are part of the City’s one-year action plan to implement recommendations from its 2022 Affordable Housing Strategy.
With the growth of e-commerce in recent years, some commercial, retail, and office spaces aren’t being used to their full potential. This creates an opportunity to re-imagine Fredericton’s commercial corridors as mixed-use environments. These corridors can become more complete communities connecting low-to-middle income earners to their places of work and nearby services and amenities. Residents will have improved walkability to grocery stores, pharmacies, and many other services and amenities.
“Many of the City’s retail and service sector workers don’t qualify for affordable housing programs”, explained Councillor Jason LeJeune, Chair of the City’s Economic Vitality Committee. “Creating the environment where folks have the opportunity to live closer to where they work while also taking advantage of nearby schools, parks, and basic needs will help reduce the overall cost of living for many of our residents who work hard every day.”
As the City aims to reduce its carbon footprint, creating housing options in the corridors also promotes active transportation and will create additional demand for improved public transit. In turn, local businesses will benefit by having more customers close by. Making progress with affordable housing is going to take many small and large changes to how we imagine our city. This is the first of many regulatory changes that will serve to implement the City’s Affordable Housing Strategy and provide new ways of housing Fredericton’s rapidly growing population.
Find more information on the City’s Affordable Housing Strategy and one-year action plan here.
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