New financial incentives and special grants to cut through City Hall’s red tape while reducing long permit wait times
Winnipeg Mayoral Candidate Don Woodstock’s latest policy announcement looks at taking a different approach to tackling the city’s derelict housing problems.
According to Woodstock, Winnipeg has approximately 600 boarded-up homes in the core area. “These derelict homes are creating a major problem for our community as they are being used for drug homes & are major fire hazards. ” Said, Woodstock
He added that the property owners lack the financial resources to develop or improve these dwellings and proposed a simple, streamlined approach to home development.
Unerwoodstock’s proposal;
1) Properties in the core area will receive high priority for renovation and new buildings.
2) The city will offer a Special Grant Program for responsible owners & renovators.
3) For new builds, the city will have seven different models of ‘rubber stamped’ engineered drawings available at no cost to you.
4) Procedures that need urgent attention: a) By-Law enforcement: Compliance orders for the core area, b) Quicker turn-around times for permits.
Woodstock’s proposal would cut down the time it takes the city to issue permits from 6-8 weeks to three. A streamlined process does have its merits in reducing red tape, which can translate to more development and taxes coming into the city.
