Ontario's Housing Crisis: Regent Park Community Advocate wants 'Affordable' Housing Re-defined

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In Regent Park, where people who are living in social housing are facing a renewed sense of urgency surrounding discussions of affordable housing - due in part to the rise in food prices, transportation and health care - keeping those discussions alive and current in the minds of policy makers becomes even more vital.

In a November 21, 2023 Ontario Legislature meeting of the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy, Regent Park resident Walied Khogali Ali, Co-Chair Community Working Group , Co-Chair Regent Park Stakeholders Table SDP, and Resident Co-Chair Community Benefits Oversight Working Group (CBOWG), delivered a deputation on behalf of the Federation of South Toronto Residents Association.

Walied addressed members of the provincial Parliament in support of Bill 134, the Affordable Homes and Good Jobs Act. FOSTRA, representing 25 residents associations in downtown Toronto, supports defining affordable rent based on a percentage of household income but is concerned that tying it solely to the 60th percentile of gross annual income could make rents unaffordable. They propose a two-tiered approach: mainstream affordable housing (30% of the 50th percentile of income) and deeply affordable housing (30th percentile or below). They emphasize the need for a rent geared to income program and a reserve fund for maintenance. The current legislation is deemed inadequate for lower income brackets, and FOSTRA urges a more equitable formula, emphasizing a dual-tiered, income-based approach for tailored solutions. They also stress the importance of a sustainable funding model for affordable housing.

Walied's deputation was followed by a discussion with various committee members (MPPs), and Lindsay Jones – Director Policy and Government Relations (Association of Municipalities of Ontario  (AMO), who examined the complexities of providing and maintaining the stock rental housing, affordable housing, and deeply affordable housing.

The speakers addressed various concerns related to affordable housing. They first part involved questioning the effectiveness of development fee exemptions for private sector developers in building affordable homes. The speaker expresses skepticism about relying solely on developers and highlights the loss of funding for affordable housing due to Bill 23.


The discussion also touches on the need for a comprehensive approach involving public policy instruments and partnerships to increase affordable housing supply. The speaker criticizes the impact of Bill 23 on municipal funding, estimating a loss of approximately $1 billion annually for ten years.
There is a mention of the importance of incentivizing non-market housing and the need for a dual definition of affordable housing, addressing both moderate income and deeply affordable housing. The speaker raises concerns about the private sector's historical failure to build affordable housing and questions the potential net loss even with proposed changes.

The session included questions directed at  FOSTRA representative Walied Kohogali Ali, regarding development fee reductions for different types of affordable housing.  Emphasizing the importance of regulatory mechanisms and government investments to address housing issues.

Conversations also touched on the ongoing engagement between municipalities and the government, particularly regarding the impacts of Bill 23. One of the MMPs expressed the hope for continued collaboration and emphasizes the importance of addressing homelessness root causes, income security, and mental health support.

The discussion briefly shifts to the government side, where the Committee Chair MPP Laurie Scott, asks about the ongoing engagement process with municipalities and their level of need for affordable housing. The response highlights the prioritization of housing by municipalities and their commitment to achieving set targets despite economic challenges.

The session concludes with a brief discussion on the housing priorities set by municipalities and their efforts to meet targets amid economic and construction challenges.

 


In conclusion, the discussion on affordable housing during the recent meeting reflects a complex landscape of challenges and concerns. The skepticism regarding the private sector's ability to drive affordable housing development, coupled with the perceived negative impacts of legislation such as Bill 23, underscores the urgency for a multifaceted approach. Municipalities are grappling with substantial funding losses, estimated at $1 billion annually for a decade, raising questions about the sustainability of current policies. In the pursuit of viable solutions, the dialogue serves as a crucial reminder of the intricate web of factors influencing the creation of sustainable, affordable housing solutions.

By Dimitrije Martinovic
Dimitrije is community journalist with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE

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