The City of St. John’s has approved a grant program and other incentives to spur more housing starts and renos to address the housing crisis.

The grant program will apply to the development of subsidiary units, backyard suites and tiny homes, while a separate incentive program involves development of so-called multi-unit, purpose-built rental projects.

Those are defined as attached multi-unit housing of at least four private units, with private kitchen, bathroom, and living areas built specifically for long-term rentals.

Successful applicants could see fees waived for things such as building, renovation, and repair permits.

One-time grants are capped at $20,000 which can go toward architectural and design fees, fixtures and appliances, among other things.

Eligible applicants and projects for the incentive program include corporations and people registered to do business in the province.

Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O’Leary says they’re making progress.

“I am very excited to see how the rubber is hitting the road here now,” Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O’Leary told this week’s public meeting. “I’m very pleased to see these opportunities coming forward because these are the things that people were asking about right from the very beginning, and now the opportunities are there. So it’s going to be up to the public now, I guess, and the developers to see where the incentives are and we’ll see how this rolls out.”

Mayor Danny Breen noted the province is also in on the programs offered through Ottawa’s housing accelerator fund.