THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOICE

Access to stable, safe and appropriate housing has become a critical issue facing Prince Albert residents. Rental accommodations that meet the specific needs of individuals and families are not always easy to find. Seniors, single parents, families and single adults –- all have their own requirements. We must now decide how these varied needs can be met.

QUESTION: Is it important to provide a range of housing types in each neighbourhood?

The current policy plan allows a mixture of housing types and styles in residential areas with a view toward affording all individuals and families of all income levels the opportunity to exercise their housing accommodation preferences (1987 Policy Plan, 3.1.4). The current policy also allows medium and high-density residential development (walk-up apartments, high-rise apartments, and townhouse developments) in planned locations in new residential neighbourhoods. Where feasible and acceptable they are located adjacent to arterial and collector roads; adjacent to outlying shopping centres and community facilities and adjacent to schools to limit traffic through the interior.

 

SOCIAL HOUSING

The city has been partnering with the federal and provincial governments in providing social housing for low-income families and seniors. There are eight housing agencies in the city that provide subsidized and affordable housing to individuals and families in need. There are over 1,200 subsidized housing units in Prince Albert, and there are currently 53 people on waiting lists. The City of Prince Albert supports social housing units operated by the Prince Albert Authority, which operates social housing units to provide subsidized and affordable housing units to its residents. The City has also been a partner in several projects, including the Herb Bassett and Mont St. Joseph Homes, Abbey-field House, and Habitat for Humanity. Local service agencies and profit organizations have a long history of working together to provide supportive services to the community, while making use of the limited resources available in and around the City.

QUESTION: Do you think the City should actively participate in facilitating social housing projects?

QUESTION: What local initiatives could be used to increase the number of social housing units in Prince Albert?

 

COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES

In the past, many institutional services such as nursing homes and housing for the elderly were located in large centralized facilities. In recent years, as in many cities, the trend has been toward deinstitutionalizing these services and providing them in a community-based setting. On-going initiatives by the health care industry and the growing need for facilities for seniors both point to more community-based care.

Institutional services looking for community-based locations are halfway homes and other transitional services designed to assist recently released inmates adjust to life, child and adult day care centres, pre-schools, personal care homes, and group living homes. While land use conflicts need to be addressed, in general, the City has noticed some difficulties in locating these services in residential areas.

 

RESIDENTIAL HOME CARE

In the next couple of decades, baby-boomers in the city will begin to reach their senior years. As highlighted in the demographics, the number of persons aged 65 and over has increased, signaling a greater need for special care. But space in existing large care homes such as Herb Bassett Home and Mont. St. Joseph Nursing Home will be at a premium.  There is also the need to house persons with special needs, such as people with mental or physical disabilities, victims of domestic violence, and others.  The solution may be small, community-based home care and group homes. A recent news release (February 14, 2006) indicated that home care services increased in Prince Albert Parkland Health Region. This increased support the government commitment to instituting a minimum set of home care services across the country (Health#06-076). The result of this is permitting residential home care in most neighbourhoods in the near future.

Personal care homes (Group Home) are discretionary uses in all residential zones and are approved by specific resolution of the of the City Council. Personal care homes allow residents to live in a neighbourhood setting, perhaps even their neighbourhood.  Those in need of special care should have the right to choose where they live, but the limited number of care homes available now does not always allow for such choice.

CHILD AND ADULT DAY CARE

Home-based child day care facilities are permitted in most neighbourhoods (residential zone), but are limited to 4-10 children in any residential zone. Looking after more than 10 children will be considered a discretionary use subject to approval by the City Council. Larger daycare centres may be permitted as an accessory use to churches or schools. All other forms of childcare may be approved at the discretion of City Council.

Question: Have you encountered any difficulties with the size or location of childcare centres in Prince Albert?

The need for adult day care is growing. Many adults are healthy enough to live at home, but may require specialized care and attention for part of the day. Stand-alone adult daycare facilities in Prince Albert are subject to the approval of the City Council.

Question:  Are adult daycare centres, stand-alone or in-home, appropriate for neighbourhood settings?

CUSTODIAL CARE – THE HALFWAY HOUSE

Custodial care facilities, or “halfway houses”, are used for temporary detention or custody of young offenders, or as community training residences. The City considers Custodial Care Facilities a discretionary use and may be approved by City Council provided it meets all discretionary use regulations and statutes. The City regulations provides that custodial care facilities must not exceed fifteen persons (15) within the same block and the opposite block face except in the multiple unit dwelling zone where it shall not exceed twenty-five persons (25).

Questions: Are you concerned about the possibility of custodial care facilities being located in neighbourhoods?

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Although the current Development Plan does not deal directly with social policy issues: general safety of the community, access to affordable housing, social services, recreational services, and educational opportunities are somewhat linked to land use policy. This section attempts to deal with some of them, including housing choice, social housing and community-based institutions. There may be other social development objectives that could be translated into appropriate land use policies.

Questions:  Are there specific social development objectives that could be included in City land use policies, which have not been addressed?