Creating inclusive, complete communities with a broad mix and range of housing types is an important step to building Ontario’s health and prosperity.
The updated Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy focuses on increasing the supply of affordable housing, supporting people, and ending chronic homelessness.
Working towards these goals requires a system built on partnerships with the private and non-profit sectors, and between all levels of government.
As part of the update to the Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy, and to help address Ontario’s growing “affordability gap”, the province is taking steps to make affordable housing a part of the land use planning process.
On May 18, 2016 Ontario introduced legislation that would, if passed, allow municipalities to require private sector developers to include affordable housing units in their development proposals through inclusionary zoning. For example, if a municipality chose to use this tool, new housing proposals would need to include a certain number of affordable units in order to be approved.
If passed, the proposed legislation for inclusionary zoning would help to achieve a number of outcomes:
- Serve more people: Inclusionary zoning would create affordable housing that serves the needs of low- to moderate-income families and individuals.
- Increase the supply of affordable units.
- Meet local needs: Inclusionary zoning would help municipalities meet affordable housing objectives and targets set out in their housing and homelessness plans and official plans.
Inclusionary zoning has been used extensively by communities around the world, including in England and in over 500 municipalities in the United States.
In the coming months, the province will consult with municipalities, developers and other interested parties on the use of inclusionary zoning in Ontario.
A copy of Bill 204 – Promoting Affordable Housing Act, 2016, is available on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario website.
If passed, the Promoting Affordable Housing Act, 2016 (Bill 204) would provide a framework for inclusionary zoning and give the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing the ability to tailor additional details through regulations.
The Discussion Guide for Inclusionary Zoning focuses on potential matters that may be considered by the Minister for possible inclusionary zoning regulations as set out in EBR Notice Number 012-7617, if the Promoting Affordable Housing Act, 2016 is passed by the Legislature.
We Want your Input
You are invited to share your comments and ideas on inclusionary zoning by: August 16, 2016. There are several ways you can participate:
- Submit your comment through the Environmental Bill of Rights website as set out in EBR Notice Number 012-7616 (Act Proposal Notice) and 012-7617 (Regulation Proposal Notice)
- Submit your comments through our online feedback form
- Email a submission to: firstname.lastname@example.org
- Write to us at:
Provincial Planning Policy Branch
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
777 Bay Street, 13th Floor,
Toronto ON M5G 2E5