Dobson wants funding to encourage more homeownership in Winnipeg

A Winnipeg city councillor wants to push the other levels of government to put homeownership in reach for people who can’t afford it.

Making homeownership a more likely possibility for those who might not be able to afford it - that is the goal of a new motion put forward by a Winnipeg city councillor.

Coun. Shawn Dobson (St. James) has submitted a motion that would lobby the provincial and federal governments to create a new program that would be similar to the Housing Accelerator Fund, but have it geared toward single-family homes.

Dobson said the current accelerator fund encourages housing to be built quickly, which is best suited for apartment buildings.

“Homeownership, home equity is something that they are missing. What we’ve got right now is we are promoting rentals, when I think it’s going to be off balance,” said Dobson.

“I think rentals are doing quite well and I think it’s time we start tipping the pendulum to homeownership and home equity.”

To help more people get into the housing market, Dobson’s motion suggests removing the GST and PST from building materials so those savings are then passed onto the homebuyer.

It is also mentioned in the motion that the buyer of these single-storey, newly built homes would be required to live there for at least 10 years to ensure they aren’t being flipped for a profit.

The Executive Policy Committee will discuss the motion on May 19.