An appeal has been filed against the construction of an affordable housing project in Amherst, N.S., causing a delay in the commencement of building the apartment complexes. The YMCA of Cumberland intends to develop 36 units across two buildings located at 1 Albion St., with plans for the organization’s housing outreach staff to operate from one of the buildings. It is anticipated that one-third of the units will be designated as supportive housing should funding from the province be secured.

Trina Clarke, the CEO of the YMCA of Cumberland, expressed understanding of the appeal process, stating, “We thought that this may happen, but we’re confident in the process and we’re confident in our development.”

In a 4-2 vote in July, the Amherst town council approved the development agreement, with Coun. Dwayne Ripley and Coun. Nic Furlong voting against it.

Grounds for Appeal

Ray Hickey, an Amherst resident, lodged an appeal on August 4 against the council’s decision, citing concerns about the impact of supportive housing and associated office facilities on the local area. He mentioned ongoing issues affecting neighboring businesses, services, and residents, emphasizing a need to address the current challenges before introducing further developments.

Ashley Legere, executive director of the Cumberland Homelessness and Housing Support Association, highlighted the importance of community engagement following recent incidents. She emphasized the need to manage risks to staff and guests effectively.

Contrary to Hickey’s claims of insufficient amenity space in the project, town planning director Andrew Fisher defended the adequacy of the proposed shared outdoor space between the buildings, stating that the bylaw rules were negotiated for development agreements. Fisher mentioned that residents could also utilize nearby parks for recreational purposes.

Trina Clarke estimated that the appeal process could potentially delay the commencement of construction by six to 12 months. She emphasized the urgency of addressing the growing housing crisis and expressed disappointment over the delay in projects aimed at alleviating the situation.