Do we still have a housing problem?
The vacancy rate is up, rents are coming down and the temptation is to forget about housing. But there is no short term fix in housing – we must plan for 20 years from now.
There are many challenges that we need to solve. We need affordable housing at most income levels, for all family sizes. We need housing for people on the streets, and housing that includes support for addicts. We need to stop renovictions.
One solution is to pass bylaws, like inclusionary zoning , that "force" developers to provide "affordable" housing, because the high costs are attributed to developer profits. In reality, the price you pay is the result of many factors, such as land use policies, construction costs, the existing building codes and more. The interaction between these factors changes constantly. It’s complicated.
Developers run businesses and businesses must cover their costs, or nothing gets done. Right now the costs are higher than rents can support, so if we want more housing, we need to subsidize it.
Here are some ideas that will maximize our public dollars:
Do not support inclusionary zoning. That means renters/buyers are subsidizing affordable units.
Simplify planning for buildings under 6 stories.
Support small landlords and people who want to be one. This helps more people buy homes and increases rental stock.
Fight AI rent setting systems.
Fight for legislation to stop rent increases between tenants.
Favour non-profit, co-op, and co-housing owners when giving out construction subsidies for multi-unit projects.
Bottom Line: Use the city’s power to promote local solutions to the housing crisis for renters and owners
Let’s think long term and be creative.
More Reading:www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/46-28-0001/2026001/article/00003-eng.pdf