Affordable housing legislation

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The Liberal government plans to introduce new legislation that would increase the amount of affordable housing in communities.

The City of Hamilton has close to 6 000 households on its social housing wait list and a hot real estate market has caused an affordable housing crunch. But new legislation announced today now gives the city the power to force developers to include affordable units in new builds.

Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister and Hamilton area MPP, Ted McMeekin says he wants to get these inclusionary zoning policies in place as quickly as possible.
“Decent housing is more than shelter it provides stability security and dignity.”

The announcement is part of Ontario’s long-term affordable housing strategy, which includes $178 million over three years announced in the government’s recent budget.

The Ontario Homebuilders’ association warns that inclusionary zoning would push up the price of new homes and be unfair to new homebuyers.

The province says it’ll consult with municipalities, developers, and housing advocates in the coming months. Ontario is also putting $45 million over three years to the community homelessness prevention initiative, as the Liberal government attempts to end chronic homelessness by 2025.