RESCON urges adoption of ideas
VAUGHAN, Ontario, February 28th, 2022
Ontario is falling far short of producing the number of new homes that are needed but reforms suggested in the Housing Affordability Task Force report could significantly reduce the problem, according to the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON).
“The report addresses the shortage by laying out sweeping reforms to end exclusionary zoning and increase density in urban and suburban areas and legislating timelines for development approvals,” says RESCON president Richard Lyall. “The needed target of building 1.5 million new homes over the next 10 years is possible if all 55 recommendations in the task force report are implemented.”
RESCON has expressed its support for the report and recommendations in a letter sent to Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark. RESCON participated in virtual consultations by the province and our concerns and feedback on the issue are reflected in the report and recommendations.
Residential construction plays a large part in the province’s economy and provides much-needed essential housing to Ontario families. Our ability to attract talent and business investment depends on adequate and affordable housing so we are eager to see the recommendations being put into action.
Demand has far outpaced supply and resulted in higher prices for housing. With immigration targets well above 400,000 for the next several years, and Ontario’s population expected to increase by 2.27 million people over the next decade, the supply of new housing is not keeping pace.
RESCON is encouraged that the task force has recommended that the province and municipal governments start to address the problem by using Ministry of Finance population projections and accurate data collection by housing type and location. We are also pleased that digitization and e-permitting is being made a priority. RESCON is a founding proponent of One Ontario, an initiative to establish data exchange standards for a province-wide, digital e-permitting system to replace the fragment patchwork of systems and processes now in use by municipalities across the province.
“Ontario needs a uniform, streamlined and digitized e-permitting system in place for use by all of Ontario’s municipalities, provincial ministries, conservation authorities and all approval and law agencies as it will speed-up development approvals and result in homes getting built faster,” states Lyall. “The One Ontario initiative has the backing of more than 30 organizations and can provide a path forward.”
The cost of buying a new home in Ontario has nearly tripled in the past decade. In Toronto, for example, the cost of the average dwelling relative to income is by far the worst amongst G7 countries, in large part because the approvals process is too cumbersome and stymies new development,
For more information:
Kristen Tam
Marketing and Communications Manager
AECO Innovation Lab
kristen.tam@aecoinnovationlab.com
