SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The draft request for proposals presented to the city last month for the development of Niven Lake Phase VII made its way back to the table Nov. 1 with a completed affordable housing section.

The original document had one unfinished sentence under the afford-ability heading, creating an uproar from members of council.

City councillor Shelagh Montgomery, who originally suggested the development be delayed until council finished its affordable housing strategy - which has no set completion date - said she was impressed with the revisions.

"I'm happy to see this come back with a little bit more information relating to affordability," she said.

The new draft states, "Significant weighting will be given to development proposals that incorporate densities sufficient to reduce the average unit price as well as proposals which incorporate innovative approaches to dedicating a percentage of units (i.e. 5 to 10 per cent) as 'affordable' dwellings."

Phase VII is currently under development. There are a total of 30 lots, 12 of which are left for purchase.

Proposals for development are due to city hall by Dec. 15.

Montgomery suggested that in order to show developers the city is serious about creating affordable housing, the evaluation criteria for proposals should include a separate section worth 15 per cent for affordability.

In the original rating scheme, 25 per cent was for proponent's experience, 30 per cent was for methodology, 30 per cent was for offer to purchase, five per cent was for a schedule to complete the project and 10 per cent was for quality of the proposal.

Couns. David Wind, Amanda Mallon, Mark Heyck and Bob Brooks supported Montgomery's suggestion, which would take five per cent each from proponent's experience, metho-dology and offer to purchase to make up the 15 per cent.

"I'd like to go with Shelagh's sugg-estion where it stresses the importance to council about affordability, to try and bring down the cost of housing in Yellowknife," said Brooks.

It's important it be included because there isn't yet an affordable housing strategy in place for developers to turn to, said Brooks. Coun. Cory Vanthuyne said he doesn't think it's necessary to change the evaluation because the document already makes it clear that affordability is a priority.

"Rather than building it as a mechanism into the scoring, I support the evaluation as it is."

The request for proposals (RFP) will be brought to council again to be voted on before RFPs will be accepted from developers interested in building new townhouses, duplexes and apartments in Niven Lake.

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