Over the next 10 years, the region will build on the work that has already been done by implementing the measures highlighted in the Housing Plan. The Act also requires the region to submit the draft housing plan to the province for review and comment. The feedback received recognized the region's acute affordable rental and ownership challenges and confirmed the strategic directions in the plan.
Comments received from the Region's stakeholders and members of the public were also positive and confirmed the plan's focus on housing affordability and improving services. In its comments on the Draft Plan, the Province encouraged the Region to provide more detail about how it supports the housing needs of victims of domestic violence. As part of its ongoing commitment to housing, the Region publishes regular reports on the housing market and information related to the economy and population.
Creating healthy, sustainable, whole communities with affordable housing options for all residents is a common goal for the region's nine local municipalities. The region's Long-Term and Strategic Planning Department has continued to work with local municipalities to develop the affordable housing implementation guidelines. To achieve the four objectives of the plan, the region will need to continue working with its local municipal partners to ensure that residents across the region have a range of housing options.
The Regional Municipality of York has many roles in encouraging affordable housing development, cutting across the functions of all departments. Š works with the nine local municipalities to manage growth in accordance with the policy framework of the Official Regional Plan Š owned and operated. This Housing Plan builds on the work the Region has already done and proposes a total of 49 actions to increase the supply of rental housing, maintain the existing supply of rental housing, support affordable home ownership and the system for homelessness and housing stability strengthen.
Over the next 10 years, York Region will improve housing affordability to build healthy and complete communities where residents can afford to live, work, shop and play.
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Explore incentive options, strategy and best practices that local municipalities can use to encourage the development of new rental housing. Investigate the use of community improvement plans in regional centers and major development areas in regional corridors to increase the supply of rental housing. Develop the Make Rental Happen challenge, which asks high school students to create innovative private market rental housing solutions that are replicable and applicable in the context of York Region.
Work with stakeholders to advocate for more private market rental housing and develop a communications strategy that increases awareness of the economic realities of and need for rental housing. Create a dialogue with key stakeholders (eg local municipalities and building industry) to determine how to create the environment for the development of more private market rental housing. This will include an exploration of tools and models that support the development of private market rental housing.
Consider opportunities to work with Metrolinx and York Region Rapid Transit Corporation to incorporate new rental housing into the design of subway stations/major transit facilities. Inclusion of new social housing as part of long-term growth planning for regionally owned infrastructure. Develop guidelines for the adoption of social housing using the provisions of Article 37 of the Planning Act.
In 2013, the HSPB-YR led a social media campaign (#MakeRentalHappen) to raise awareness about the lack of private market rental housing options. Following the success of that campaign, the HSPB spearheaded the Make Rental Happen Challenge in the spring of 2014, a global ideas competition for post-secondary students to submit ideas for private market rental housing options. Partner with local municipalities to implement Regional Official Plan policies that protect the existing supply of rental housing from demolition (including demolition through neglect) or conversion to condominium.
Advocate for sustained federal and provincial investment in social housing repair and renewal and for the inclusion of housing in federal and provincial infrastructure funding programs. Sustain social housing provision as previous federal and provincial funding and funding arrangements end. Work with the province and the Housing Services Corporation to find ways to use equity from social housing developments to fund major repairs.
Review of social housing waiting list policies and practices to better connect people to support while they wait for housing.
Who can afford to buy a home here
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Software Engineers and Designers, Primary Care
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Increase the rental housing supply
Ŧ Requires local municipalities to adopt official plans and zoning bylaws that allow secondary lots. Ŧ Allows the use of surplus government land to reduce land costs. Ŧ Encourages local municipalities to adopt policies for. Ŧ Supports local municipalities in the use of height and density allowances (section 37 of the Planning Act) in negotiations for new social housing.
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Ŧ Encourages the construction of new rental units with a complete mix and range of unit sizes, including family and smaller units. Ŧ Increased the offer of barrier-free rental units and apartments with support services for the disabled Ŧ Provided rent subsidy to 219 households through a. Ŧ Increases the supply of disability-friendly rental units and includes accessible design features that make buildings easier for people with disabilities to visit.
Š In 2010, the Regional Council appointed the Human Services Planning Board as a multi-sector partnership of key organizations, agencies, networks and community leaders, working together to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of human services within York Region through capacity building initiatives within the broader human services sector and through collaborative advocacy. Š The Human Services Planning Board facilitates exploratory discussions with key stakeholders, including the construction industry.
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Sustain the existing rental housing supply
Š The 2010 Official Regional Plan requires local municipalities to adopt policies that protect rental housing from demolition and conversion to condominiums or non-residential uses. When these agreements expire, rental units may be lost from the social housing system. The region has developed a model to protect this social housing by entering into new, longer-term operating contracts with social housing providers whose operating contracts are about to expire.
Š Former federal and provincial social housing programs were not designed to enable housing providers to build up the cash reserves needed to finance major repairs throughout the life of their buildings. Ŧ additional subsidy and secured loan programs, which provided more than $7.5 million in regional funding to 21 housing providers from 2007 to 2013. Ŧ more than $15.6 million in provincial funding of the social housing renovation and reconstruction program to optimize energy efficiency and lifespan of building elements.
Ŧ technical support services for housing providers to assist them with capital planning and major repair projects. The fund provides grants to enable housing providers to modernize their buildings to improve accessibility and energy efficiency. Housing providers can also apply to the fund for grants to help finance new playgrounds that meet current safety standards.
The York Housing Strategic Plan 2012-2016 supports this mission with five goals: Maintaining Healthy Communities, Managing Properties Effectively, Proactively Managing Finances, Providing User Friendly Services and Strengthening Governance and. Š Housing York has implemented an Energy Management strategy to reduce electricity, gas and water consumption. Š The region engages housing providers in consultations on the implementation of the Law on Housing Services, 2011 and the planning of major repairs.
Š The region is co-chairing a provincial task force tasked with researching and identifying best practices for financing the long-term capital financing needs of housing providers. Š Provide training to housing providers through partnerships with the Cooperative Housing Federation, the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association and the Housing Services Corporation.
Support home ownership affordability
Š The region is partnering with the Human Services Planning Board to host a series of housing affordability discussions focusing on affordable housing owned by the private market.
Strengthen the homelessness and housing stability system
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A partnership between the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program and the region's Homelessness Prevention Program has developed a "no wrong door" experience for residents needing help with energy gaps. Emergency shelter, temporary housing and support services for victims of domestic violence are provincially funded. The region's most important role in the domestic violence system is the administration of the provincially mandated Special Priority Program.
Special preference is given first on the waiting list to applicants for subsidized housing who have been abused by someone they live with or who have been sponsored by someone as an immigrant. Over the past five years, approximately 50 percent of all non-rent and income-related vacancies have been occupied by households with specific priorities. Š Intention of personnel to work closely with victims of domestic violence who apply for subsidized housing.
Coordinators from the Homelessness Community Program Unit visit all five VAW shelters in the region on a weekly basis. The case coordinators provide a range of support to clients, including assessing financial eligibility for a personal needs supplement, Ontario Works benefits and depreciation support to help clients secure and maintain permanent housing through the region's housing stability program. Homelessness is an important part of a broad system of housing and supporting services for people at risk of homelessness.
Š Licensing over 650 domestic hostel beds through York Region's Lodging House Bylaw and monitoring compliance with standards of care for residents. Š Manage agreements with domestic hostel operators to fund financial support for board and lodging and a monthly personal needs allowance for around 400 residents. Š Funding for quality of life programs for hostel residents to increase social inclusion Š Provision of a regionally funded clothing benefit to ensure that hostel residents have.
Š Providing financial and supportive services to hostel residents and referring them to appropriate community resources to enable them to maintain their housing. Š Delivery of the eviction prevention assistance program to market tenants in public housing who are at risk of losing their housing.
