Affordable Housing Boosted By New Legislation
Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com 2010
McGuinty Government Changing Housing System To Put People First
Families in need of affordable housing will get access to better and more flexible housing support.
The Strong Communities through Affordable Housing Act, 2011, was passed by the legislature yesterday (April 19, 2011) with the support of all parties. When the legislation comes into effect, it will reduce barriers to affordable housing, eliminate complicated rules and provide more opportunities for Ontarians to build a better future.
The legislation, a key part of Ontario’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy, will help fix the housing system by:
- Clarifying the roles and responsibilities of municipalities and the province to create stronger partnerships and greater accountability
- Expanding affordable housing options by requiring municipalities to establish policies that would allow second units
- Requiring the province and municipalities to measure and report on the progress being made, to ensure the new strategy is helping those with housing needs.
The strategy will also consolidate Ontario’s housing and homelessness programs to give municipalities the flexibility to use funding to better address local needs.
The majority of the legislation will take effect on proclamation.
QUICK FACTS
- Affordable housing is a key component of Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy
- Since 2003, over $2.5 billion has been invested in Ontario to build and repair more than 270,000 units of affordable housing.
