Ontario Construction News staff writer
Partners in Homebuilding, a report from Mississauga’s Housing Task Force, challenges all levels of government to think and act differently.
The report includes 30 actions to “kick start” development across the city.
As part of the next steps, Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish will introduce a motion next week outlining immediate actions the city will take to improve housing affordability.
“Now is the time for new solutions. I want to thank my housing task force for their time, expertise, and advice. We must act now to get shovels in the ground — our residents deserve nothing less,” said Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish.
The task force, established by Mayor Parrish shortly after taking office in June 2024, includes more than 30 experts from Ontario’s private and non-profit housing sectors. Over four months, the group collaborated with federal and provincial ministries to develop a series of actionable recommendations focused on four priority areas:
Reform Development Charges, Taxes, and Fees: The task force recommends 14 actions to help reduce housing costs by balancing demand and incentivizing more affordable housing developments.
Update Building and Design Standards: Seven actions are proposed to boost efficiency across the industry and streamline building processes to help increase housing supply.
Transform Zoning to Unlock Housing: The report recommends five actions to make zoning regulations more effective, providing developers with the certainty they need to move forward with projects.
Create Sustainable Programs and Funding: The task force advocates for four actions to support the development of long-term, sustainable funding for affordable housing through the private sector.
The report also highlights 14 immediate actions the City is already taking to tackle the housing crisis, including:
- Increasing Housing Supply: Expanding permissions for an additional 124,000 residential units, supporting mixed-use communities around transit hubs, and exploring creative housing solutions above city facilities.
- Bringing Down Costs: Offering financial incentives for purpose-built rentals, reducing costs for building homes on residential lots, and lowering borrowing costs for non-profit developers.
- Streamlining Processes: Establishing a housing-focused team at City Hall to fast-track applications, update urban design guidelines, and improve the housing development approval process.
In the coming months, city staff will update the City’s Housing Action Plan to incorporate the recommendations from the Mayor’s Housing Task Force.
“Mississauga is taking bold steps to align housing priorities with our vision for economic growth and urban vibrancy,” said Andrew Whittemore, Commissioner of Planning and Building. “By modernizing zoning and expanding residential capacity, we’re ensuring the city remains a competitive, inclusive, and prosperous place to live.”
Robert Blazevski, President and Chief Operating Officer of DiamondCorp, added, “I am pleased to be part of the Mayor’s Housing Task Force and look forward to continuing to work with the city to build new homes for years to come.”
Salvatore Cavarretta, Vice President of Development at TMG Builders, praised the report, calling it “a blueprint of tangible action items that, when implemented, can pave the way for the delivery of much-needed new housing in Mississauga.”
For more information on the task force and to read the full report, visit Mississauga.ca/housing-taskforce.
