Housing in the town's top priority in the coming years. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

housing shortage

Proposed La Ronge housing program includes cash payment incentives

Jan 20, 2025 | 4:29 PM

Given the need to address a housing shortage in La Ronge and the region as a whole, town council is moving forward with a strategy to help guide residential land development and encourage housing construction.

“With a recent federal contribution of $1.1 million and a secured overall budget of $2.6 million, the town is poised to move forward with various projects and incentives that will provide for a range of housing types to be constructed,” wrote deputy-chief administrative officer Jeff Long in an email to larongeNOW.

“At its next meeting on Jan. 27, town council will consider adopting a policy which is a key component of the strategy, that would implement a housing incentive program that would allow for a cash payment of $10,000 for each new dwelling unit in developments of up to three units, while $15,000 would be offered for developments of four or more new dwelling units.”

Long explained this, combined with a residential development tax abatement, will make the town a much more competitive option for developers and builders alike, and help incentivize opportunities to bring more serviced lots onstream and spur housing construction.

The programs are designed to be attractive to those considering building a home or accessory secondary suite, garage suite or garden suite in La Ronge. The tax abatement policy is already in effect and the application portal is available on the municipal website.

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The housing incentive program will also come online once council has adopted a policy to implement it.

“Developing and servicing land here in the North is very expensive due to the extreme climate, and the presence of bedrock and organic soils,” Long remarked.

“Unlike most places where the private sector undertakes land development in tune with local economic and market conditions, the Town of La Ronge must act as a developer to bring serviced land onstream for housing construction. This is a real challenge for a town of only 2,500 people that provides a range of services and, like any municipality, must deal with a variety of financial challenges to maintain and improve them.”

Residential development is the number one strategic priority for council, who have identified a number of initiatives totalling an estimated $4.8 million in the 2025-34 Capital Plan. These initiative include Robertson Drive Phase 2 servicing at $1.6 million, Robertson Drive Phase 3 planning at $60,000, Studer Street infill lot servicing at $1.5 million, Hastings Street service extension at $42,000, proposed daycare lot servicing on Studer Street at $15,000, and general to be determined initiatives at $1.6 million.

In regards to the $1.1 million being offered by the federal government, it will be paid in four equal instalments (two in 2025, one in 2026, and one in 2027), and is conditional upon completing initiatives outlined in the town’s Housing Action Plan. Key among the initiatives is the issuance of permits for 58 new dwellings units by Dec. 23, 2027.

Failure to fully meet this condition could mean a reduction in the overall contribution amount.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com