April 6, 2023 — Press release from the West End Home Builders’ Association
Today, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark, announced the latest Housing Supply Action Plan and updated Provincial Planning Statement. These measures will help incent more rental construction and improve housing supply and choice across our province, all while laying out a bold planning framework to help ensure Ontario can meet future housing demand.
“The Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act is welcome news in our collective efforts to address the housing crisis,” noted West End Home Builders’ Association (WE HBA) CEO Mike Collins-Williams. “Incentivizing the construction of purpose-built rental housing is vital to improving options for more Hamilton and Burlington residents, and I am glad to see the provincial government is taking these additional steps to make more housing possible in communities big and small.”
Ontario’s housing supply crisis means too many people are unable to find a home that meets their needs and budget. Addressing this crisis means ensuring more supply is built and is readily available, including more rental stock at greater densities. WE HBA supports the provincial government reducing barriers to the construction of new purpose-built rental housing.
As Ontario plans for record levels of immigration, it is also crucial to ensure our province is planning for growth and housing in all communities. The updates to the Provincial Policy Statement and Growth Plan in a new combined and streamlined Provincial Planning Statement ensure there is a comprehensive approach to land use planning within all regions of Ontario, including Hamilton and Burlington. By making these crucial changes, the provincial government is prioritizing housing supply in all communities and putting Ontarians first in planning for future growth.
“The updates to the Provincial Planning Statement announced today are critical to ensuring Ontario increases both the supply and variety of housing options in communities across our province,” noted Ontario Home Builders’ Association CEO Luca Bucci. “Setting municipalities on the right path for growth will help more Ontarians find a place where they can live,
work and raise a family.”
Increasing the speed and affordability of building new housing means more choices for Ontarians who need a place to call home. Without the right mix of home ownership, including rental options, Ontario risks economic damage as talent and businesses will seek out other regions that can provide a better chance at that dream of home ownership. WE HBA applauds today’s legislation and streamlined Provincial Planning Statement as they help provide more housing supply and options in Hamilton and Burlington.
