Housing

Over the years Council has worked hard to approve housing developments of all types. Currently over 9,000 units are approved and waiting for construction to begin. 

 

While the development of affordable housing is very important, there is also a serious need to protect our stock of low-cost affordable rental housing and advocate with all levels of government for an investment and the immediate development of community public, rent geared to income and supportive housing. 

 

I sincerely respect and appreciate the work that council and city staff have recently undertaken to facilitate affordable housing on three city properties. However, these developments are “affordable” as defined by the province’s Affordable Benchmarks in the City’s Affordable Housing Strategy of at least 10% below the average market rent – so approx. $1,253-$1,417/month for a Studio included to $1,881-$2,520/month for a three bedroom, still out of reach for many young people and families. As a city we need to ensure that there are housing opportunities even more affordable than this.

 

In this term I have had conversations with residents whose older, low-cost rental housing has been vulnerable to demolition and redevelopment, renoviction and rent increases. Once again I appreciate the work of council, staff and the encouragement of the community to introduce some retention measures, the Vacant Home Tax, Rental Renovation and Replacement By-laws and I am thankful to our planning staff who are watchful over rental to condo conversions.

 

High rent costs and low vacancy rates have also contributed to homelessness in our community. This has increased the City’s need to step in and provide additional social service supports to address gaps, such as a Daytime Drop in space, Youth Emergency Shelter assistance, and Winter assistance to offer temporary accommodation. 

 

While it is true that there is building of new rental units, these have been built at the higher end of the market with higher rents. There remains a lack of low-cost housing for seniors, accessible units, housing for families and young single adults.

 

It is my hope that the city can become further engaged, take on a leadership role and strongly advocate with provincial and federal levels of government for an investment in community, public, deeply affordable, rent geared to income housing. This is an investment that was ended by the federal and provincial governments in the early 1990’s and has resulted in families on long wait lists, often for over a decade.