Municipalities can soon require developers to set aside a certain percentage of new multi-unit developments as affordable housing.
Provincial officials introduced a proposed inclusionary zoning regulation on Wednesday.
Local governments would be able to develop their own bylaw based on their specific needs.
“We know many people in our province are having difficulty finding affordable and adequate housing,” Local Government Minister Glen Savoie said in a news release.
“This is a great tool because the housing situation in one community may differ from another.”
The land-use planning tool had been promised as part of the local governance reform process.
According to the province, housing is considered affordable if it costs less than 30 per cent of the householder’s income.
“These proposed regulations for local governments are a great example of how we can continue to develop housing that meets the needs of New Brunswickers in communities across our province,” Jill Green, minister responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation, said in the release.
A 28-day comment period on the regulation is now underway.
