An appeal has been filed against the construction of a low-cost housing project in Amherst, N.S., causing a delay in the commencement of building the apartment complexes. The YMCA of Cumberland is spearheading the initiative to develop 36 units across two buildings located at 1 Albion St, with intentions for its housing outreach staff to operate from one of the structures. A third of the units are designated for supportive housing pending approval for funding from the province.
Trina Clarke, the CEO of the YMCA of Cumberland, expressed understanding of the appeal process, emphasizing confidence in their development plans despite the setback. The Amherst town council had previously approved the development agreement with a 4-2 vote, with Coun. Dwayne Ripley and Coun. Nic Furlong dissenting.
The appeal, submitted by Amherst resident Ray Hickey, raised concerns regarding the potential negative impacts of the proposed housing, particularly referencing existing conflicts in the area due to supportive housing and associated facilities. Hickey highlighted issues such as decreased foot traffic downtown, citing a recent fatal shooting in the vicinity as a further safety concern.
Ashley Legere, the executive director of the Cumberland Homelessness and Housing Support Association, emphasized community engagement efforts following the incident, underlining the challenges of managing private properties and mitigating risks for staff and guests. While not directly involved in the YMCA project, Legere acknowledged the development’s role in addressing the housing crisis.
Despite receiving support from local non-profits and Nova Scotia Health during the planning phase, the project faced criticism for allegedly insufficient amenity space, as claimed by Hickey. The dispute revolves around the amount of shared outdoor space and the absence of balconies, which Hickey argues falls short of the municipal planning strategy requirements.
Trina Clarke estimated that the appeal could potentially delay groundbreaking activities for the project by up to a year, affecting efforts to address the growing housing crisis. Clarke highlighted the essential work carried out by YMCA housing outreach staff in assisting homeless individuals, emphasizing the urgency of advancing developments like this in a timely manner.