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Guest column: Progress made on housing, but still a ways to go

Fixing development charges big win for new home buyers and municipalities, but more pro-housing policies needed

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We’re heading towards a bleak future – one where our kids give up on the dream of affording a home of their own.

Guest column: Progress made on housing, but still a ways to go Back to video

What was once a natural step is now a distant reality for hardworking Ontarians across the province. Something needs to be done to ensure future generations have the same shot at homeownership as those who came before.

Last week’s housing announcements from the provincial and federal governments were a big step in the right direction. With their proposal to expand the HST exemption to all eligible buyers of new homes, and recently introducing the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, the Ford government showed it’s standing up for Ontario families.

Seeing them heed our calls to fix development charges (DCs) in Ontario, one of the most expensive line items in housing construction, is a big win for new home buyers and municipalities – as is the $8.8 billion in joint funding over 10 years with the federal government to support Ontario municipalities that reduce and maintain low DCs.

Pairing this with their commitment to disclosing DCs in new home agreements of purchase and sale to help buyers see where their money is going, and exploring amortizing infrastructure fees to allow for lower housing costs overall, it’s encouraging to see the provincial government taking bold action.

But while these initiatives are steps in the right direction, there’s still a long way to go. Not only does the bill have to be passed, but the government must continue supporting housing affordability and homeownership, and not take their foot off the gas.

We need to ensure a healthy market for resale homes to open up more housing options for young families looking for a bigger place or seniors looking to right-size.

We also need to further explore pro-housing policies that will have an impact on the next generation’s shot at homeownership and keep costs down, including ending exclusionary zoning, streamlining development approvals, and embracing innovative methods to homebuilding, like factory-built housing.

It’s important we keep up this momentum. Prime Minister Mark Carney, Premier Doug Ford, and Ontario Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack all know what’s at stake, and I’m encouraged to see real action being taken to help more Ontarians afford a home in the communities they want to live in.

Kim Fairley is Ontario Real Estate Association president.

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