Item - 2023.EX7.2
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on September 6, 2023 with amendments.
- This item was considered by the Executive Committee on August 24, 2023 and adopted without amendment. It will be considered by City Council on September 6, 2023.
- See also PH6.1
EX7.2 - Urgently Building More Affordable Homes
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on September 6, 2023, adopted the following:
1. City Council direct the City Manager, in consultation with the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services, to work with all of the agencies, boards, corporations and divisions at the City of Toronto to assess preliminary cost estimates, to create a plan, and an implementation framework and timeline to achieve 25,000 new rent-controlled homes by:
a. increasing the affordable housing target by a minimum of 7,500 affordable homes, of which a minimum 2,500 are new rent-geared-to-income homes; and
b. adding a new target for 17,500 rent-controlled homes.
2. To support Part 1 above, City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services to report back in the fourth quarter of 2023 on:
a. an effective alignment of resources, mandates, structure, and personnel of all City of Toronto agencies, boards, commissions, corporations and divisions, in particular Toronto Community Housing and CreateTO, that would enable the City of Toronto to build new public and community housing in collaboration with co-ops, non-profit housing providers, governmental organizations and other partners;
b. current suitable parcels of City lands that are available for development purposes;
c. identification of housing-ready sites that are immediately available and suitable, including land owned by the City, co-ops, non-profit housing providers, governmental organizations and other partners; and
d. analysis of the all costs associated with the updated housing target, as well as an update on the financial contributions required from both the federal and provincial governments in order to enable successful implementation of the Housing Plan.
3. City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services, to establish a pilot project in Ward 14-Toronto Danforth, for all active development applications, including East Harbour and Gerrard-Carlaw North Transit Oriented Communities, where the Housing Secretariat provides City Planning with a target goal for the number of affordable units to be achieved, with the minimum equal to the requirement under the city’s Inclusionary Zoning Policy, as well as any other related criteria such as Transit-Oriented Communities, Major Transit Station Areas, large sites and any other criteria deemed reasonable.
4. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to ensure that the target goal for the number of affordable units and related information in Part 3 above be presented as part of the statutory community consultation meeting.
5. City Council, as Shareholder, request the Board of Directors of Toronto Community Housing Corporation to work with the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services to undertake the development of complete communities on Toronto Community Housing Corporation lands and properties through revitalization, redevelopment or stand-alone developments on existing sites; and create a model that includes staff and Toronto Community Housing Corporation Board members to initiate and carry out this work.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-238755.pdf
Communications (City Council)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/cc/comm/communicationfile-172117.pdf
Motions (City Council)
That:
1. City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services, to establish a pilot project in Ward 14-Toronto Danforth, for all active development applications, including East Harbour and Gerrard-Carlaw North Transit Oriented Communites, where the Housing Secretariat provides City Planning with a target goal for the number of affordable units to be achieved, with the minimum equal to the requirement under the city’s Inclusionary Zoning Policy, as well as any other related criteria such as Transit Oriented Communities, Major Transit Station Areas, large sites and any other criteria deemed reasonable.
2. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to ensure that the target goal for the number of affordable units and related information be presented as part of the statutory community consultation meeting.
Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Sep-06-2023 3:49 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - EX7.2 - Fletcher - motion 1 |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 23 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Brad Bradford, Alejandra Bravo, Shelley Carroll, Lily Cheng, Olivia Chow, Mike Colle, Vincent Crisanti, Paula Fletcher, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Dianne Saxe, Michael Thompson |
| Total members that voted No: 1 | Members that voted No are Stephen Holyday |
| Total members that were Absent: 1 | Members that were absent are Jon Burnside |
That:
1. City Council amend Executive Committee Recommendation 2 by adding the following Part d, so that it now reads as follows :
2. To support the above recommendation, City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services to report back in the fourth quarter of 2023 on:
a. an effective alignment of resources, mandates, structure, and personnel of all City of Toronto agencies, boards, commissions, corporations and divisions, in particular Toronto Community Housing and CreateTO, that would enable the City of Toronto to build new public and community housing in collaboration with co-ops, non-profit housing providers, governmental organizations and other partners;
b. current suitable parcels of City lands that are available for development purposes; and
c. identification of housing-ready sites that are immediately available and suitable, including land owned by the City, co-ops, non-profit housing providers, governmental organizations and other partners; and
d. analysis of the all costs associated with the updated housing target, as well as an update on the financial contributions required from both the federal and provincial governments in order to enable successful implementation of the Housing Plan.
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Sep-06-2023 3:51 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - EX7.2 - Adopt the item as amended |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 23 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Brad Bradford, Alejandra Bravo, Shelley Carroll, Lily Cheng, Olivia Chow, Mike Colle, Vincent Crisanti, Paula Fletcher, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Dianne Saxe, Michael Thompson |
| Total members that voted No: 1 | Members that voted No are Stephen Holyday |
| Total members that were Absent: 1 | Members that were absent are Jon Burnside |
EX7.2 - Urgently Building More Affordable Homes
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Executive Committee recommends that:
1. City Council direct the City Manager, in consultation with the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services, to work with all of the agencies, boards, corporations and divisions at the City of Toronto to assess preliminary cost estimates, to create a plan, and an implementation framework and timeline to achieve 25,000 new rent-controlled homes by:
a. increasing the affordable housing target by a minimum of 7,500 affordable homes, of which a minimum 2,500 are new rent-geared-to-income homes; and
b. adding a new target for 17,500 rent-controlled homes.
2. To support the above recommendation, City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services to report back in the fourth quarter of 2023 on:
a. an effective alignment of resources, mandates, structure, and personnel of all City of Toronto agencies, boards, commissions, corporations and divisions, in particular Toronto Community Housing and CreateTO, that would enable the City of Toronto to build new public and community housing in collaboration with co-ops, non-profit housing providers, governmental organizations and other partners;
b. current suitable parcels of City lands that are available for development purposes; and
c. identification of housing-ready sites that are immediately available and suitable, including land owned by the City, co-ops, non-profit housing providers, governmental organizations and other partners.
3. City Council, as Shareholder, request the Board of Directors of Toronto Community Housing Corporation to work with the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services to undertake the development of complete communities on Toronto Community Housing Corporation lands and properties through revitalization, redevelopment or stand-alone developments on existing sites; and create a model that includes staff and Toronto Community Housing Corporation Board members to initiate and carry out this work.
Origin
Summary
We are facing an unprecedented housing crisis. Each year, more of our friends and neighbours are losing their homes or finding it impossible to afford a place to live. Newly-arrived refugees find themselves in shelters, church basements, or sleeping on the street. Seniors are forced to work beyond retirement age or watch their rent take up a greater share of their fixed incomes. Families are facing exploding mortgage prices that push their finances under water. Young people are having trouble starting a family and some are forced to move out of the city. People experiencing intimate partner violence can’t afford to move to safety. Employers struggle to hire workers who can afford to live in the city.
While thousands of new homes are built in the city every year, it is not enough to address the affordability crisis we’re facing. We must act with urgency and a renewed determination to make sure everyone can find a place to call home.
As Mayor, I have committed to building 25,000 more homes above what the City is already planning. This is my top priority. Today, I am asking staff to take the necessary actions to start making this commitment reality.
With the right tools and resources in place, we can build new affordable housing, create stronger and more caring communities, and ensure a better quality of life for all residents.
Together, we can build the affordable housing people need and deserve. With this motion we take the first step.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-238755.pdf
Speakers
Councillor Jamaal Myers