"Improving the quality of the housing stock and ensuring there are a range of housing types available in Watson Lake is very important to residents. Appropriate and safe housing is vital to community growth and high-quality housing will help to attract and retain individuals and families."
- Town of Watson Lake Official Community Plan, September 2021
In December 2023, Watson Lake applied to the Government of Canada and was awarded over $2 million to address housing supply issues in our community.
The funding is from the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). HAF is a new program from the Government of Canada's Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Funding is provided directly to municipal governments to help build more housing.
Watson Lake had to propose five initiatives to qualify for funding. The initiatives have to address the gap in missing middle housing.
Learn more about our five initiatives below:
1. Grant program to build new dwellings
Status: Accepting Applications
Budget: $400,000
What is the goal of this initiative?
We understand that access to both land and capital to build dwellings presents a major challenge in Watson Lake. This initiative aims to make use of the existing residential properties within our community and avoid delays in building new dwellings due to a lack of available land.
It also works to address capital challenges by providing direct funding to property owners to build.
How will we achieve our goal?
We have developed a grant program that will provide private property owners with access to grants to develop housing on property that they own or are in the process of purchasing.
Funding can be used to build single family homes, suites, and multi-family units. $40,000 is available per new dwelling, up to a maximum of $120,000 per applicant for multi-family housing.
How do I apply? When will this be happening?
Applications for the program are due by 4:30pm on August 16, 2024, by email to housing@watsonlake.ca. Applications can be downloaded here.
How many homes do you expect this program to create?
We are expecting that at least 10 new dwellings will be built as a result of this initiative.
How do I qualify for the grant?
You are eligible to apply for this program if you meet the following criteria:
- Your property is located within the municipal boundary of the Town of Watson Lake.
- Applicants own the property on which the dwelling is to be constructed; or,
- You have an Agreement for Sale with the Yukon Government for a vacant lot;
- The property and proposed development(s) comply with the Town’s Official Community Plan, Zoning Bylaw and the National Building Code; and
- Property taxes for the property are paid and the property owner is in good standing with the Town of Watson Lake.
If you have questions about this initiative contact housing@watsonlake.ca. You can also review the Housing Development Grant Policy.
2. Funding to create homes from underutilized buildings
Status: In Progress
Budget: $400,000
Awarded so far: $0
What is the goal of this initiative?
This initiative aims to support the community's goals for housing and beautification, as noted in the 2021 Official Community Plan. It will fund and help convert underutilized properties and buildings into homes.
How will we achieve this goal?
We aim to incentivize the rehabilitation of underutilized, vacant, and non-conforming properties in Watson Lake. To do this, we will provide financial incentives to private property owners.
The Residential Conversion Grant program is a new HAF initiative that will give property owners access to grants. They can use the grants to convert their underutilized, vacant, or non-residential properties into dwelling units. This could mean replacing an abandoned single-family home. It could also mean turning upper-story office space into an apartment or creating a caretaker's residence on an industrial lot.
$40,000 is available per new dwelling, up to a maximum of $120,000 per applicant for multi-family housing.
How many homes do you expect this program to create?
We expect this initiative to lead to the construction of 10 new dwellings.
How do I apply? When will this be happening?
Applications for the program are due by 4:30 p.m. on March 31, 2025, by email to housing@watsonlake.ca. Download application forms here.
How do I qualify for the grant?
You are eligible to apply for this program if you meet the following criteria:
1. Your property is located within the municipal boundary of the Town of Watson Lake.
2. Applicants own the property on which the dwelling is to be constructed.
3. The property must have been underutilized or vacant for at least 12 months before this policy came into effect.
4. The property and proposed development(s) follow the Town’s Official Community
Plan, Zoning Bylaw, and the National Building Code.
5. Property taxes for the property are paid, and the property is in good standing.
If you are interested in learning more about this initiative, please contact housing@watsonlake.ca. You can also review the Residential Conversion Grant Policy.
3. Zoning bylaw amendments
Status: In progress
Budget: $100,000
What is the goal of this initiative?
This initiative aims to support the community goals of housing development by promoting gentle density through changes to our zoning bylaw. By amending the Zoning Bylaw we hope to ease restrictions related to the construction and availability of ‘missing middle’ housing. We also hope to reduce red tape and administrative burdens by revising the bylaw with a “pro-development” lens.
How will we achieve this goal?
We are working with an independent Land Planning contractor to provide suggestions to improve the Zoning Bylaw in ways that support increased housing development, contribute to diversification of our housing stock, and decrease red tape.
Any changes to the Zoning Bylaw will first be discussed and approved by council, following procedure for three public readings. There will also be a public forum where residents will have an opportunity to participate in the development and revision of the Zoning Bylaw.
How many homes do you expect this program to create?
We are expecting 10 new dwellings will be built as a result of this initiative
When will this be happening?
The Zoning Bylaw has been through a first round of revisions. More changes are expected before late 2026. If you are interested in learning more about this initiative, contact the program administrator at housing@watsonlake.ca.
4. Action plan for home lending
Status: In Progress
Budget: $75,000
What is the goal of this initiative?
We know that access to mortgages and home lending is a significant barrier to home ownership in small communities. The goal of this initiative is to better understand why these barriers exist, and what we can do about them. By researching this issue and developing a strategy to address barriers to home leading, we hope to support more Watson Lake residents to access the funds they need to become homeowners.
How will we achieve this goal?
We are working with the mortgage experts at the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, as well as a variety of Yukon based mortgage professionals to develop a comprehensive study on barriers to home lending in rural and remote communities. This study will include recommendations and action items to address these barriers. Implementing the action items that are recommended from the result of research is a longer term goal that will help guide housing decisions into the future.
When will this be happening?
The research study is currently underway. A draft is expected in summer 2025, and residents of Watson Lake will have an opportunity to provide feedback before the report is finalized. If you are interested in learning more about this initiative, contact the program administrator at jordan@elevatoryukon.com.
5. Municipal/private sector collaboration on municipal services
Status: Coming soon
Budget: $125,000
What is the goal of this initiative?
Currently, all local infrastructure services that support housing are owned, operated and maintained by the Town of Watson Lake. We believe that by empowering private contractors and companies to get involved with municipal services, we can get the best deal for our residents while supporting the local economy.
How will we achieve this goal?
A service manual will be developed to guide private sector involvement in municipal services. This document and any resulting policies will provide details about the standards and requirements for hiring private companies to support municipal services. Development of this service manual will be supported by a local engineering firm.
When will this be happening?
A request for proposals has been issued, seeking engineering firms to support development of the service manual. The community will have an opportunity for input before the manual is finalized. If you are interested in learning more about this initiative, contact the program administrator at jordan@elevatoryukon.ca.