An Integrated Approach to Address the Ontario Housing Crisis

In Ontario, finding a place to live is a struggle for many due to low vacancy rates, limited supply, and an insufficient mix of housing options. The costs of ownership and rental rates are rising much faster than incomes and people experiencing homelessness are in desperate need of a roof over their heads.

Bold action and leadership are required from all three orders of government and private, non-profit, and cooperative housing sectors (collectively referred to as the “development sector”) to address the housing crisis in Ontario. It will take collective, constructive, and focused work by all involved to improve affordability, diversify the housing mix, and increase supply.

The province needs a made-in-Ontario housing framework. Tinkering around the edges will not be successful. A new collective mindset and transformative change are required to address the systemic issues around housing affordability over the long term.

AMO’s Blueprint for Action reflects an all-of-government approach and covers more than just housing affordability. In our view, meaningful results will only be achieved if the social determinants of health, poverty reduction, and climate change mitigation and adaptation, are also addressed.

Note that this is not an exhaustive list of interventions that could help solve Ontario’s housing crisis. Rather it is written to identify local contributions that the various parties play in delivering housing.

Also Read: Overcoming Affordable Housing Crisis Through Collaboration