Saint John has taken another step toward developing its affordable housing action plan.
SHS Consulting has been selected to prepare a housing needs assessment along with the plan itself.
Council approved the Ontario-based consulting firm’s proposal, one of five submitted to the city, on Monday night.
City staff say in order to develop the plan, a housing needs assessment is needed to determine any gaps in Saint John’s housing continuum.
Project manager Mark O’Hearn has said the assessment will involve a public survey and workshops with dozens of stakeholders.
This project involves several affordable housing partners, including the Saint John Land Bank, Saint John Community Loan Fund, Saint John Non-Profit Housing, Human Development Council, Housing Alternatives, and Envision Saint John.
The action plan is due to be released next May.