Board Proposes Framework to Increase Ontario’s Affordability and Housing Options | The Canadian News

TORONTO – The Toronto Region Board of Trade is calling on the provincial government to implement a framework that increases density and housing options in Ontario.

In a report released Tuesday, the chamber of commerce proposes a provincial framework that removes exclusionary zoning policies that prohibit different types of “missing intermediate” buildings, such as triplexes and small apartment buildings in residential neighborhoods across the province.

It comes two days before the provincial government organizes a housing summit with Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark and the mayors and regional presidents of Ontario’s big cities.

The framework outlines an approach that eliminates foreclosure zoning, supported by additional policies, such as matching development charges for a four-unit building with development charges for a single single-family home.

Calls on the provincial government to establish standards that allow at least four units in a building in all residential zoning areas, as well as a higher baseline for properties near transit stations, and to ensure that municipalities do not use other tools to avoid lack of means. housing since being built.

The report states that the framework would apply to all medium-sized municipalities with 30,000 or more residents and large municipalities with 100,000 or more residents.

Craig Ruttan, director of housing policy for the Toronto Region Board of Trade, said the Toronto Region Board of Trade recognizes that the housing crisis “cannot be solved by one municipality alone,” so that the chamber of commerce decided to propose a provincial framework.

“I mean, especially last year, communities that had stable home prices for decades began to experience rapid jumps, to the point where, whether you’re in Tillsonburg, Timmins, or Toronto, home affordability is an issue. real concern, “he said.

“Therefore, we believe that the solutions and tools to help address it should be available throughout the province.”

However, the Toronto Region Board of Trade is also asking municipalities to do their part to increase density and housing options in Ontario.

Namely, Ruttan said municipalities should simplify and speed up the review and approval of housing projects, but also help preserve existing multi-unit, triplex and fourplex buildings from becoming large single-family homes by implementing a fee structure.

Ruttan said that removing exclusionary zoning policies has many benefits beyond housing affordability.

They include populating neighborhoods to make more efficient use of existing infrastructure such as new transit projects and schools, giving a boost to local businesses, reducing carbon emissions by making better use of existing space, and addressing systemic racism by providing Communities that were historically excluded from certain neighborhoods a way in, he noted.

“So this is an important step to help address that historical and current issue and build more inclusive and diverse communities,” added Ruttan.