An appeal has been filed against the construction of an affordable housing project in Amherst, N.S., which has put a hold on the commencement of building the apartment complexes. The YMCA of Cumberland intends to build 36 units across two buildings at 1 Albion St., with plans for their housing outreach staff to operate from one of the buildings. A third of the units are set to be designated as supportive housing pending funding approval from the province.
Trina Clarke, the CEO of the YMCA of Cumberland, expressed understanding of the situation, stating that while they foresaw this possibility, they have confidence in the development process. The Amherst town council previously approved the development agreement with a 4-2 vote in July, with Coun. Dwayne Ripley and Coun. Nic Furlong dissenting.
The appeal was submitted by Amherst resident Ray Hickey on Aug. 4, citing concerns over the impact of supportive housing and the associated office on the local community, including neighboring businesses, services, and residents. Hickey highlighted existing issues such as open drug use and a recent fatal shooting in April in the vicinity of an emergency shelter and supportive housing units, which have raised safety concerns among residents.
Ashley Legere, the executive director of the Cumberland Homelessness and Housing Support Association, emphasized the organization’s focus on community engagement following the aforementioned incident. She pointed out the challenges faced in managing private property issues and ensuring staff and guests’ safety.
Despite not being directly involved in the YMCA project, Legere acknowledged the importance of such initiatives in addressing the housing crisis. The development received endorsements from various local non-profits and Nova Scotia Health during the planning stages, aiming to contribute to resolving long-standing downtown issues.
Hickey also raised objections regarding the lack of amenity space in the project, alleging a violation of the municipal planning strategy. While there are plans for shared outdoor space between the buildings, the absence of balconies falls short of the minimum amenity space requirement in the land-use bylaw. However, town planning director Andrew Fisher defended the decision, stating that the provided amenity space was deemed sufficient and residents could utilize nearby parks.
Trina Clarke estimated that the appeal could result in a delay of six to 12 months in commencing construction work. She highlighted the urgency of addressing the growing housing crisis and expressed disappointment over potential delays in projects like this one.