#Ontario; #BuildMoreHomes
Toronto/CMEDIA: A virtual summit was provided by Premier Doug Ford and Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, big-city mayors, and regional chairs on Jan 19 to discuss the housing crisis and coordinate efforts to increase the supply of homes across the province.
“During the summit, Premier Ford announced more than $45 million for a new Streamline Development Approval Fund to help Ontario’s 39 largest municipalities modernize, streamline and accelerate processes for managing and approving housing applications…to implement online systems that make it easier for applicants to navigate the development approvals process, manage their applications and receive a timely status update,” the news release said.
“After a decade of mismanagement and inaction under the previous government…Today’s Summit was an important next step…for Ontarians and their families to find a home that meets their needs and budget…ensure municipalities have the tools and resources they need to unlock housing in every community across Ontario,” said Clark in the news release.
The government also announced over $8 million through the Audit and Accountability Fund to…make it easier to measure results, reduce costs for business and governments, and support municipalities’ transition to digital service delivery and digital approvals. This work is part of the Ontario Data Authority initiative, designed to accelerate Ontario’s economic and social growth through improved data sharing.
The government’s housing policies under More Homes, More Choice: Ontario’s Housing Supply Action Plan are working to increase the supply of the full range of housing options, from single-family homes to midrise housing to purpose-build rental apartment buildings. In 2020, the year after More Homes, More Choice was implemented, Ontario saw the highest level of housing starts in a decade and the highest level of rental starts since 1992.
“Additionally, the government is engaging with industry experts on the Task Force and recently held an online public consultation to inform the province’s next steps… help more Ontarians find the home that is right for them.” said the news release.
