What is Ontario government doing about housing issues?

How much is Ontario’s land-use policy causing the housing supply shortage and pricing issue? And what is the government doing about it?

Bryan Tuckey
President and CEO
Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD)

YPNextHome: How are the messages from the housing industry being received by the Ontario government? What, if anything, is being done in response to these concerns?

Cripps: We recognize that housing affordability in the GTHA is a concern. The housing market is complex. Cost and affordability are influenced by many factors, such as location, proximity to transit, low interest rates, demographic trends, and infrastructure and construction costs. That’s why we have doubled the maximum refund on the Land Transfer Tax for first-time homebuyers from $2,000 to $4,000. This will help them get the home that is right for them.

YPNextHome: What chances are there that Ontario will revisit these policies, given the unintended consequences that seem to be resulting?

Cripps: The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe is currently being reviewed as part of the Co-ordinated Land Use Planning Review. Our proposed changes were informed by extensive consultation with Ontarians, municipalities and stakeholders. The Growth Plan’s aim is to reduce sprawl, protect valuable natural and agricultural resources, and plan for more complete, transit supportive communities. It is also intended to promote a mix of housing options to accommodate people at different ages and stages of life. This will mean that families have more choice in where they live, not less. Importantly, under the Growth Plan, municipalities are required to plan for a range and mix of housing to accommodate the population growth forecasted for their municipality all the way to 2031 and beyond.

The Provincial Policy Statement requires municipalities across the province to maintain a three-year supply of residential land with servicing capacity. Municipalities assess serviceable land needs based on the mix of housing types – semis, rows, singles and apartments – that are needed to accommodate the expected growth and density targets over time.

We know that municipalities have already approved plans that will see ground-related homes lead the majority of new construction in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. This means homes like single-detached, row house and semi-detached with direct access to a street, will dominate all new inventory built. The Growth Plan will continue to support ground related housing so that people can choose the right home to suit their needs. It will also promote complete communities that make day-to-day living more convenient by providing access to a mix of jobs, local services, transit options and a full range of housing.

Of the land set aside to accommodate growth within the GTHA, less than 20 per cent has been built on to date, leaving 45,660 hectares left to be developed – this is enough area to build two cities approximately the size of Mississauga.

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