Prime Minister Trudeau commits $9.1 million for new housing in Saint John, N.B.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau travelled today to Saint John, N.B., where he announced $9.1 million for the construction of 285 housing units over the next three years.

The funding will come from Ottawa's $4-billion Housing Accelerator Fund, which is aimed at encouraging municipalities to make changes to bylaws and regulations that will increase housing construction.

Under the program, the federal government is pushing for denser zoning rules and faster approval for building permits. 

As well, Saint John has agreed to use public and underutilized lands for housing development and work with non-profit and private home builders to develop affordable housing projects.