An Affordable Housing Action Plan 2010 2020
Introduction:
There is a long history in Canada of governments, groups, and individuals working together to provide affordable housing. Filling that need continues to be an important part of building a successful country. We know that affordable housing makes a powerful, positive contribution to the economy, to a better environment, to healthier communities, and to healthier people. Toronto is a major driver of Canada’s economy, and affordable housing is a key factor in the City’s economic success.
It helps to create jobs and to attract and retain skilled key workers and business investment. It also contributes to a cleaner and greener city because people can live closer to where they work, resulting in fewer vehicle trips and the associated pollution. As well, investing in upgraded heating and cooling systems, one of the main sources of greenhouse gases, means cleaner air and lower operating costs for residential buildings. Affordable housing is an important factor in creating healthy, diverse, and prosperous neighborhoods. Neighborhoods, where people with a mix of incomes live in a range of housing tenures and types, are safe and healthy places to live. Strong and diverse communities enhance the quality of life for both owners and renters and improve liveability, which is strongly linked to a city’s prosperity.
The Power of Affordable Housing:
Powering Economic Prosperity:
Attracts immigrants, key workers and a skilled labour force Encourages businesses to locate and expand locally Every 1,000 units of affordable housing built creates between 2,000 and 2,500 person years of employment
Powering a Greener City:
Allows people to live closer to where they work, reducing vehicle related greenhouse gas emissions Upgrades to energy efficiency measures reduce the greenhouse gases emitted by the heating and cooling of residential buildings
Powering Liveable Neighbourhoods:
Makes streets safer and encourages business and other investments in neighbourhoods Diverse neighbourhoods provide opportunity and affordability in all 44 wards across the City Reducing concentration of poverty, improves health, safety and quality of life for residents
Powering Healthy People:
Decreases exposure to harmful conditions such as mould, toxins or poor air quality found in inadequate housing Increased stability and security results in better mental and physical health. Improves educational outcomes and opportunities for children.
Creating Affordable Housing Opportunities in all Neighbourhoods:
The City of Toronto’s Coat of Arms boasts the motto: “Diversity Our Strength.” Those are important words for a city that strives to provide a high quality of life for all of its residents. But it is one thing to speak proudly of diversity on the Coat of Arms and quite another to take action to ensure people are made welcome. That is why this Plan proposes the adoption by City Council of a first for Canada – an affordable housing charter.
Help Homeless and Vulnerable People Find and Keep Homes:
The best way to end homelessness is to provide people with permanent housing. Once people have access to the security, dignity and stability of housing, they can then begin to address other challenges — such as lack of employment skills and mental health or addiction issues.
Assist Families and Individuals to Afford Rents:
Far too many people in the City of Toronto struggle to pay their rent each month. More than 200,000 tenant households, or 47 per cent of renters, have affordability problems and pay more than 30 per cent of their income on rent. For half of these households who pay more than 50 per cent of their income on rent, affordability is an even more serious issue.
Preserve and Repair Rental Housing:
Well maintained, safe and affordable rental homes make a powerful, positive contribution to the lives of more than one million Toronto renters. In addition to encouraging the development of new affordable rental housing, the challenge is to ensure that existing rental housing remains affordable and well maintained.
Conclusion:
The provincial government assist low income residents through sustainable increased funding for rent supplements, housing allowances, and/or other shelter benefits. Ensure that the existing social housing stock achieves and maintains a state of good repair by:
a. Supporting the efforts of Toronto Community Affordable Housing to implement its Real Estate Asset Investment Strategy.
b. Working with nonprofit and cooperative housing operators to improve their financial capacity to respond to state of good repair needs and maintain their buildings.
Also Read: Housing Supply Mix Strategy: Not-For-Profit and Co-op Housing