Housing Accelerator Fund

In January 2024, the Village of Carmacks was awarded $2.4-million under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) program. This program, established by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), provides financial support for Canadian municipalities to reduce regulatory and other barriers to affordable, adequate housing and facilitate the construction of new units.

The Village considers this funding an incredible opportunity to improve the state of housing in Carmacks and is working hard to create real and lasting impact through HAF. The funding agreement expires in January 2028.

Village of Carmacks HAF Action Plan

As part of its funding obligations, the Village has committed to an Action Plan based around the following six initiatives:

Electronic Permitting

The adoption of a new e-permitting system to offer more convenience and options to Carmacks residents looking to develop housing on their properties click here.

Partnerships and Policy to Support Municipal Housing

The Village is exploring strategic partnerships and developing a policy framework to facilitate a potential expansion of its portfolio of affordable staff rental housing.

Municipal Servicing Review for Higher Density Development

An assessment of the Village’s water and sewer infrastructure to accommodate increased density in the Carmacks town core, with accompanying guidelines or other instruments to ensure the Village can facilitate orderly development in the future.

Housing Development Grant Policy

The creation of a new grant program to private property owners to reduce costs of servicing and building new residential units in Carmacks please click here to know more about this policy.

Idle land Taxation and Disincentives

Research into idle land disincentives and new policy and/or other municipal instruments to promote better utilization of residential land in Carmacks.

Staff Housing Project and Modular/pre-fabricated Housing Exploration

Research into the potential use of modular/prefabricated forms as an alternative to conventional stick frame construction, using the Village’s Lot 127 as a study case. This research will be followed up with the development of partnerships and initiation of the first phase of rental housing construction. For more information click here.

About The Housing Accelerator Fund Program

In April 2023, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) introduced the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) program, a $4-billion initiative that provides funding to local governments to fast track the development of 100,000 more housing units across the country. The objectives of the HAF program are to:

· Support the development of complete communities that are walkable, consist of appropriate residential density and a diverse mix of land uses, and provide access to a wide variety of amenities and services through public and active transportation.

· Support the development of affordable, inclusive, equitable, and diverse communities that encourage clear pathways to achieving greater socio-economic inclusion largely achieved through the equitable provision of housing across the entire housing spectrum. Support the development of low-carbon and climate-resilient communities.

Carmacks Housing Targets

Since the signing of its HAF Contribution Agreement, Carmacks has seen a major increase over its historical baseline of 2-3 building permits annually for 4-5 new residential units. Here’s how Carmacks is doing so far:

· 2024 – 16 building permits issued for new residential units (a mix of multiple unit, single family, and supportive housing for rent and ownership); and

· 2025 – anticipating up to 10 building permits for new residential units.

The number of 2024 permits received was the highest ever in over 20 years of records. With continued HAF funding support, the Village hopes to achieve at least a 3-fold increase over its pre-HAF rates of building activity. These aren’t just numbers: every new unit represents an individual and/or family with a place to call home, and the stability and quality of life that offers.