Toronto releases ‘innovative and aggressive’ housing plan

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Ontario Construction News staff writer

Toronto has released a housing action plan to tackle the “acute affordability and housing crisis impacting the city.

Acting Mayor Jennifer McKelvie says the “made-in-Toronto” plan is a multi-pronged and transparent approach to increasing housing supply, housing choice and affordability.

The goal is to achieve or exceed the provincial housing target of building 285,000 new Toronto homes by 2031.

“Housing is a key priority for the City, and I intend to continue to advance this work to ensure that we are doing everything we can,” McKelvie said. “We are committed to working with all partners to meet or exceed a target of 285,000 homes over the next ten years.

“Through the housing action plan, we will be able to increase supply, choice and affordability of housing in all corners of our city.”

Council’s executive committee will consider a staff report at its meeting on Mar. 21, recommending priorities for the 2022-2026 term to increase the housing supply within “complete, inclusive and sustainable communities” with the critical infrastructure to support growth.

Recommendations include:

  • removing policy and zoning barriers to building housing
  • leveraging public lands to increase the housing supply
  • preserving existing rental homes
  • supporting the development of a range of purpose-built rental homes (including market and non-market) through new and strengthened housing policies and programs
  • supporting the community sector (including non-profit and co-op housing providers) to modernize and grow their stock

The report features an ambitious plan to support students, newcomers, low- and moderate-income households, renters, equity-deserving communities and individuals and families and highlights several strategies expected to be brought forward in March and April including:

  • enable as-of-right zoning for multiplexes (up to four housing units) in all neighbourhoods citywide
  • a new publicly accessible data dashboard to track affordable rental homes, approved, under construction, built homes, as well as homes demolished and replaced through rental replacement policies
  • a clear and cohesive approach to meeting the Province of Ontario’s housing pledge for 285,000 homes in Toronto by 2031
  • a framework to support the growth and modernization of the community housing (including co-operative housing) sector

Read the  priorities and work plan report.

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