Housing is one of the most fundamental of human needs. It is also a key driver shaping the economic and social sustainability of communities, a vehicle for social inclusion and an important component of growth. Access to safe, affordable and adequate housing touches almost every aspect of a community’s well being and affects all of its members. Communities with a range of housing choices that meet the full range of their housing needs – including the needs of low and moderate income citizens – are generally more livable, more economically competitive and resilient. A growing body of research shows that access to good quality affordable housing supports not only low and moderate income households, but also has positive community-wide benefits related to economic competitiveness, health, education and community well-being.

The Housing Services Act, 2011 provides the foundation for Ontario’s long-term commitment to affordable housing and a renewed partnership with municipalities based on clear roles and responsibilities. Ontario’s Housing Policy Statement, issued under section 5 of the Act, provides direction to Service Managers to guide the development of locally relevant housing and homelessness plans and articulates the provincial priorities related to affordable housing, social housing, homelessness prevention and housing for persons with disabilities. Section 6 of the Act requires Service Managers to develop local housing and homelessness plans which must: identify current and future housing needs within an area, include objectives and targets relating to housing needs, describe measures proposed to meet these goals, and describe how progress towards meeting the identified goals will be measured.