Item - 2019.PH6.1

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:  

1. City Council amend the proposed Official Plan Amendment appended as Attachment 1 to the report (May 21, 2019) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning by adding the words "in areas where dwelling rooms, such as those in rooming houses, are permitted" to the new Policy 11, following the words, "New development" so that the policy reads as follows:

"New development in areas where dwelling rooms, such as those in rooming houses, are permitted that would have the effect of removing all or part of a private building or related group of buildings, and would result in the loss of six or more dwelling rooms will not be approved unless:"

2. City Council amend the Official Plan substantially in accordance with the recommended Official Plan Amendment appended as Attachment 1 to the report (May 21, 2019) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, as amended by Recommendation 1 above.

3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the recommended Official Plan Amendment as may be required.

4. City Council request the Province of Ontario to amend Subsection 111(3) of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 to permit the regulation of residential rental properties that contain six or more dwelling rooms in a similar manner as the City of Toronto is permitted to regulate properties that contain six or more dwelling units.

The Planning and Housing Committee held a statutory public meeting on May 28, 2019, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

This report recommends a citywide Official Plan Amendment to Section 3.2.1 Housing of the Official Plan to address the loss of dwelling rooms through redevelopment proposals. The recommended Official Plan Amendment is the result of extensive consultation with stakeholders including advocates and organizations working in Toronto’s affordable housing sector, current and former tenants of dwelling rooms, landlords and operators of rooming houses, the development industry, and the public.

Based on feedback received through consultations, as well as additional analysis and consultation with City Divisions, the draft policies have been revised. The recommended Official Plan Amendment, appended to this report as Attachment 1, reinforces the City’s policy objectives for providing a full range of housing across the City including affordable housing, provides for the replacement of dwelling rooms consistent with existing Official Plan policies that require the replacement of rental housing, and is an important step forward for the City in addressing the loss of deeply affordable housing such as dwelling rooms.

Key components of the recommended policy framework include: additional rent definitions and categories; a 15 year affordability period with opportunities to be sought to secure the ongoing affordability for a period of at least 49 years; replacement housing type to be either a rental dwelling room or a rental bachelor unit; and identifying that the City will seek opportunities to achieve full replacement and longer-term affordability.