Response from Jerry Flegel:

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your question regarding the important issue of affordable housing.

While affordable housing is not the legislated responsibility of a municipal government it is within our moral responsibility to address it with the tools available to us. Regina City Council has the following programs and incentives to help address the need for affordable housing:

$10,000 per unit capital grants for affordable housing units

Tax incentives of up to 100% for five years in inner city neighbourhoods to address areas with the greatest need

Tax incentives for small and large rental developments in targeted areas

Inner City Housing Stimulation Strategy

Housing Standards Enforcement Team

If re-elected, I will support the continuation of these effective programs and incentives. I will also continue to lend my voice to lobby the provincial government to develop a comprehensive affordable housing strategy to best distribute the federal government’s financial commitment to affordable housing.

The issue of affordable housing is a complex one that cannot be resolved at the municipal level. It is essential for all levels of government to work together. The City cannot do it alone. The provincial government cannot do it alone. The federal government cannot do it alone. An affordable housing strategy must be developed by all stakeholders working together—the province, the federal government, community groups, and citizens.