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Staff Report
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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: November 25, 2019
Submitted By: Andrew C. Allison, CAO
Report Subject: Affordable Housing Toolkit
Recommendations:
1. That Report CAO-013-19 be received;
Report Number: CAO-013-19
Resolution#:
By-law Number:
2. That the Municipality continue to utilize the following tools to incentivize all qualifying
affordable housing projects:
(a) Expedited Approvals (section 2.3);
(b) Secondary Suite Development Charge Exemption (section 2.6);
(c) Deferral of Payment of Development Charges (section 2.10);
(d) Partial Waiver of Development Application Fees (section 2.11);
(e) Waiver of Security Requirements (section 2.12); and
(f) Property Tax Rate Rebate (section 2.13);
3. That staff prepare a draft Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By -Law Amendment
to implement Bill 108 requirements respecting additional residential units (secondary
suites and garden suites — sections 2.6 and 2.7);
4. That staff investigate the possibility of using inclusionary zoning policies (section 2.8)
and report back to Council;
5. That staff report back to Council on the use of community benefits charges (section
2.14) after the Planning Act regulations respecting CBCs are in place and more is
known about how they can be applied;
6. That the Clarington Official Plan policy encouraging affordable housing be
implemented through Secondary Plan policies (section 1.12);
7. That staff investigate and report back to Council respecting policies that would allow
developers that are not receiving provincial or federal subsidies to receive Municipal
incentives (section 1.12);
8. That reducing parking requirements (section 2.5), providing land (section 2.9) and
any other possible incentives be considered by Council on a case -by -case basis;
Municipality of Clarington
Resort CAO-013-19
Page 2
9. That staff be directed to prepare a policy (Affordable Housing Toolkit) that affordable
housing developers can pull from as they work to build their financial models;
10. That staff be directed to work with the community (non -profits in particular) to
provide education respecting affordable housing development in Clarington; and
11. That all interested parties listed in Report CAO-013-19 and any delegations be
advised of Council's decision.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CAO-013-19
Report Overview
Page 3
As part of the 2019-2022 Strategic Plan, Council expressed a desire to develop an
affordable housing policy. The CAO's Office has been working closely with various Municipal
departments, the Clarington Task Force on Affordable Housing, and other groups to develop
a comprehensive affordable housing toolkit. Staff are recommending that a policy (Affordable
Housing Toolkit) be prepared that indicates which incentives will be available to qualifying
persons looking to develop affordable housing projects in Clarington.
1. Background
Clarington Task Force on Affordable Housing
1.1 Following an official visit and roundtable discussion with the Lieutenant Governor
Elizabeth Dowdeswell on January 29, 2018, a Task Force on Affordable Housing was
formed.
1.2 The Clarington Task Force on Affordable Housing has been mandated to provide
advice, comments and recommendations to Council on issues related to affordable
rental housing for both low and moderately -low income households and seniors housing
needs.
1.3 Clarington Council included "Develop an Affordable Housing Policy" as part of its 2019-
2022 Strategic Plan.
1.4 At the May 27, 2019 General Government Committee meeting, Task Force members
spoke to Council about their work to date, inclusive of their desire for the Municipality to
donate surplus lands to spark affordable housing in the community. At that meeting, the
following resolution (Resolution #GG-320-19) was passed:
That Council receive the delegation from the Clarington Taskforce on
Affordable Housing and ask that their findings and recommendations be
submitted to staff for the development of an Affordable Housing Strategy and
Toolkit.
That an update from staff be provided in October, pending Bill 108 regulations,
with a draft Toolkit outlining potential options for the Clarington Affordable
Housing Taskforce to consider.
That a draft of the toolkit be provided to the Clarington Affordable Housing
Taskforce in order to provide input and comment.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CAO-013-19
Page 4
1.5 A draft toolkit was presented in PowerPoint format to the Task Force on October 22,
2019 (see Attachment 1). The two main requests from Task Force members in
response to the presentation were as follows:
• Provide a single point of contact within the Municipality to assist affordable
housing providers through the process from application to build -out. This would
be especially important for non-profit groups who likely will not have the same
expertise as a traditional developer.
Look to adopt a model like the Cambridge Community Improvement Plan that
includes a full suite of incentives.
Current State of Clarington Housing Market
1.6 As set out in the 2018 Growth Trend Report (Planning Services), the average housing
prices in Clarington's Urban & Rural Areas by type in 2018 were as follows:
Table 5: Average House Price in Clarington s Urban & Rural Areas by Type, 20187
Note: Some statistics are not reported when the number of transactions is two or less.
Toronto Real Estate Board. (2018). Community Housing Market Report Durham Region: Clarington
Fourth Quarter 2018.
1.7 A deeper dive into the 2018 Growth Trend Report reveals a disturbing trend in the value
appreciation of all housing classes. Nearly all classes have risen in value by over 50%
on average in the 2014-2018 timeframe. This trend has created further strain on the
affordability market.
What Does Affordable Mean?
1.8 There is confusion and lack of consensus as to what the definition of "affordable" should
be. The Clarington Official Plan defines it as no more than 30% of gross monthly
income or rent. This does not line up with the definition put forward by the Canadian
Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), which uses an 80% of Average Market
Rent threshold.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CAO-013-19
Page 5
1.9 The CMHC 80% of Average Market Rent threshold is the main standard when applying
for Federal and Provincial funding. As such, it is the definition that will be used for the
duration of this report and all recommendations outlined.
1.10 There is also confusion as to where on the housing continuum municipal government
should be focusing its attention. This report will be focused on the "Affordable Rental
Housing" and "Affordable Home Ownership" sections.
THE HOUSING CONTINUUM
1.11 Based upon the CMHC definition, the following rent thresholds have been identified as
affordable in Durham Region using 2018 calculations (numbers are not further broken
out to be Clarington specific):
Allowable rent for Bachelor apartments
$656 per month
Allowable rent for 1 Bedroom apartment
$826 per month
Allowable rent for 2 Bedroom apartment
$935 per month
Allowable average rent for 3 Bedroom
apartment
$1,044 per month
1.12 At this time, staff are recommending that in order to receive the benefit of any of the
affordable housing incentives described below, the projects must qualify for federal
and/or provincial funding such as Social Infrastructure Fund (SIF) - Investment in
Affordable Housing (IAH) program. In the future, staff will research the feasibility of
providing incentives to projects not receiving such funding. This may be possible
through planning policy contained in Official Plans and Secondary Plans or other
development approval tools.
Municipality of Clarington Page 6
Report CAO-013-19
2. Toolkit — Incentivizing Affordable Housing
2.1 For purposes of this report, staff have created the following three categories of tools to
increase the affordable housing stock in Clarington: Municipal and Regulatory Process
Tools, Land Based Incentives, and Financial Incentives. Some of the tools described
below are already being used.
2.2 The tools described in this report are by no means exhaustive. There are many more
potential tools available to incentivize affordable housing. For example, some
municipalities incentivize affordable housing using reductions in building permit fees and
tax increment financing. In this report, staff have attempted to briefly summarize and
present options that are both practical and achievable.
Municipal Regulatory and Process Tools
2.3 Expedited Approvals Process — This tool has been a component of affordable
housing strategies in several municipalities. The benefit of this tool is that it provides a
fast -tracking process which can reduce the costs associated with holding undeveloped
land, reduce development risk, and allow construction to begin sooner (lowering
financing costs). Clarington utilizes a Priority Application Status system.
2.4 Application Assistance (Community Outreach) — Providing developers, non -profits
and other interested parties with up-to-date information around affordable housing and
the process to access potential government incentives. Much of this is an educational
piece, which could extend further to the general public to explain what affordable
housing is and how the community is supporting it. For example, the City of
Mississauga actively promotes public education and outreach in order to explain to the
community how secondary suites work, the application process and the role they play in
helping alleviate the affordability crisis.
2.5 Reduction in Parking Requirements — Required parking can increase the cost of
development. A reduction of parking requirements could facilitate pedestrian -friendly
and transit -supportive communities.
2.6 Secondary Suites — Within "Bill 108: More Homes, More Choices Act", the Ontario
Government made it clear that they believe secondary suites are a key part of the
affordable housing solution by requiring municipalities to allow secondary suites.
Clarington provides a development charge exemption for the creation of one additional
unit (apartment -in-house) in a single detached dwelling, semi-detached building or
townhouse dwelling where the gross floor area of the additional unit does not exceed
the original gross floor area of the existing dwelling.
Municipality of Clarington Page 7
Report CAO-013-19
2.7 Garden Suites — The legal definition is "a one -unit detached residential structure
containing bathroom and kitchen facilities that is ancillary to an existing residential
structure and that is designed to be portable." The draft Zoning By-law released in
November 2018 for the rural portion of Clarington proposes to permit a secondary
apartment dwelling on a rural residential property as well as Agriculturally zoned parcels
within the existing dwelling or detached garage.
2.8 Inclusionary Zoning — This is a planning tool that calls for a required number of
affordable units to be built within a specific area. The powers of this tool have recently
been amended and restricted such that they only to Major Transit Station Areas
(MTSA). They also require inclusion in the Regional Official Plan. Despite not having
approved stations or inclusion in the appropriate planning documents, Inclusionary
Zoning could be explored in the MTSAs in Courtice and Bowmanville (transportation
hubs).
Land Based Incentives
2.9 Providing Land — In a high number of cases, affordable housing projects have been
successful because the land was either gifted or provided at below -market value. The
Municipality has identified surplus land that could be designated for affordable usage,
either through a land lease, donation or sale (below market value). Partnerships could
be forged with other government entities (e.g. school boards, Regional government),
non -profits and the private sector to look at undertaking similar arrangements.
Financial Incentives
2.10 Phasing, Deferring or Waiving Development Charges — Reducing the financial
burden on a project can assist in making it viable. Recent changes to the Development
Charges Act, 1997 provide for longer payment terms. The opportunity exists in 2020
when updating Clarington's DC by-law to consider other DC incentives as well. The
legislative changes are as follows:
• 21 payments over 20 years for non-profit developments
• 6 payments over 5 years for rental housing (not non-profit)
Clarington has entered into agreements to defer collection of development charges (e.g.
Parkview Lodge).
2.11 Phasing, Deferring or Waiving Development Application Fees - Clarington offers a
50% reduction of development application fees (e.g. site plan, rezoning, minor variance)
for non-profit and registered charitable organizations like Parkview Lodge.
2.12 Waive Security Requirements — Builders are required to put up funds to meet security
requirements under development agreements. Parkview Lodge was required to put up
Municipality of Clarington Page 8
Report CAO-013-19
thousands of dollars to secure servicing costs. The Municipality waived that
requirement.
2.13 Property Tax Rate Rebate — In order to qualify for the affordable housing fund under
the SIF-IAH Program (Social Infrastructure Fund — Investment in Affordable Housing),
the host municipality must set the property tax rate at that of residential, not multi -
residential. This is applied only to the units that are deemed affordable. It is provided in
the form of an annual rebate of taxes paid. Clarington Council utilized this tool to assist
Parkview Lodge by employing a rebate (from multi -residential to residential). This rebate
has a 20-year term, provided that the project remains an eligible affordable housing
project. The foregone revenue is $4,055/year in 2019 dollars.
2.14 Community Benefit Charges — Bill 108 will remove soft services (parks, recreation,
library and planning studies) from development charges and move these services to a
community benefit charge (CBC). The implication of this change is not yet known, as
the regulations under the Act have not been released. It is anticipated that the
regulations will be released in late 2019. The proposed regulations outline several
exemptions from CBCs, notably (a) long-term care homes; (b) retirement homes; and
(c) non-profit housing.
2.15 Affordable Housing CIPs — Some municipalities have created community
improvement plans for areas where affordable housing should be encouraged (e.g. near
transit). The City of Cambridge implemented its Affordable Housing Community
Improvement Plan (CIP) to minimize the financial barriers to the creation of affordable
housing projects by introducing incentive -based programs. The Affordable Housing CIP
was adopted by Cambridge Council in November 2016 and offers eligible projects
exemption from municipal fees including planning application, building permit and sign
permit fees, deferral of development charges and tax increment equivalent grants.
3. Conclusion
3.1 The Municipality currently offers eligible affordable housing developers several
incentives to assist with the financial feasibility of their projects. More could potentially
be done, including the packaging and promotion of our incentives.
3.2 Staff are recommending that a list of current and potential incentives be provided to
developers in the form of a toolkit. This would also allow staff to use the document to
educate the community around affordable housing development.
Staff Contact: Justin MacLean, Corporate Policy Analyst, (905) 623-3379 Ext. 2017 or
0maclean(cDclarington.net.
Attachment:
Municipality of Clarington
Report CAO-013-19
Attachment 1 — Presentation to Clarington Task Force on Affordable Housing
The following interested parties will be notified of Council's decision:
Clarington Task Force on Affordable Housing
Page 9
Attachment 1 to Report
CAO-013-19
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Affordable Housing Toolkit
y November 22, 2019
No
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Ba&ground
Strategic Priority CA in the 2019-2022 Strategic Plan -
"Develop an Affordable Housing Policy."
Resolution GG-320-19 "Arising out of the delegation on the
Affordable Housing Task Force: That Council receive the
delegation from the Clarington Taskforce on Affordable
Housing and ask that their finding and recommendations be
submitted to staff for the development of an Affordable
Housing Strategy and Toolkit. That an update from staff be
provided in October, pending Bill 108 regulations, with a
draft Toolkit outlining potential options for the Clarington
Affordable Housing Taskforce to consider. That a draft of
the toolkit be provided to the Clarington Affordable Housing
Taskforce in order to provide input and comment.
State of the Clarington Housing Market
• • • • • • • Detached Semi -Detached Townhouse
Condo -Town Condo Apt Other
$700
'o $600
$500 •�.....,....
.•
d S400 .....
.
$300
= s200
s100
w
Q so
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Figure 16: Average House Price in Clarington by Type, 2013-2018
State of the Clarington Housing Market
Table 5: Average House Price in Clarington's Urban & Rural Areas by Type, 2018'
- •Ali a $585,000 $397,000 5439,000 - $324,000 $489.000
$614,000 $470,000 $429,000 $412,000 - $482,000
$515,000 - - - $323.000 $530.000
$510,000 - - - - -
$805,000 - - - -
Note-. Some statistics are not reported when the number of transactions is two or less
Toronto Real Estate Board. (2018y. Community Housing Market Report Durham Region: Clarington
Fourth Quarter 2018,
What do we
know?
Richl)oor gap
(income distribution)
Racial strife
[economic inequality]
Inrernalwal 3 local
drug trade
Arms sales T-dear,
biological, chemical)
Growth vs environmental
capacity
Resource clepleLion
defwastation/
desertrfecantron
Topsoel erosion
Aquder depleteon
Peak o4V
oil deplafion
Biodiversity kusiiiis
Language & cufturai barriers
C 1 vs lord Are phones
Intemet access
Increase price of oil Hybrids/Fuel calls
Increase in pollution Bio Fuels
Communication Transportation
Ecomony / t \♦yr- ,�,' + 1 •.
IL
The
►�,\� �� major global issues •'�"�`r� "
♦,;,, are all interconnected
Natural Resources \►[ 'r + '''
� oftI ! • /r
Water Scarcity
Water Safely
Fisheries loss
Global ciimate change
\ h rid s ou d be studied !! ..ado
that wayl J*{ 'y'1
\ 1 I
\ r
Environmental Health
ozone layer changes / /I II \ Species loss
Glacial 3 ice menog ! Disease control
Carbon emissions
Prodwlon, dislnbuhon d
consumption of gas. oil. coal
Regional Conflictslwars
Growth vs resources
Educahonlileracy
Population Human rights
Womenlgirls as
second class citizens
Refugees 8 migration
Resource scarcely
Urbanization
.4lt§lblf Mega -cities
Waste disposal
Lack of sheller
Aquder depletion remgation
� Grain production
Food Supply) Climate change impact
on agncunure
Development of Nuclear d
weapons proliferation
Fossil fuel, climate change connection
Hunger (food production)
E poverty (distnbuleon)
Development of renewable resources
Financing and Economics of Affordable Housing
Developments
Purpose Built Rentals
The University of Toronto Cities Centre
published a report that examined the feasibility
of private sector investment in purpose-built
rental accommodation in a research paper
entitled, The Financing & Economics of
Affordable Housing Development: Incentives
and Disincentives to Private Sector
Participation." The author, Jill Black, outlines
the complexity surrounding the development of
such affordable rental projects. It is clear from
the financial models and pro -forma statements
that without substantial subsidies the math
simply does not add up.
What Does Affordable
Mean?
III
EMERGENCY
TRANSITIONAL
SOCIAL
HOMELESS
SHELTERS
HOUSING
HOUSING
AFFORDABLE AFFORDABLE MARKET MARKET
RENTAL HOME RENTAL HOME
HOUSING OWNERSHIP HOUSING OWNERSHIP
What Does Affordable Mean?
• Lack of consensus amongst levels of government and advocacy
groups
• Region of Durham, Affordable Housing Program - AHP and
Investment in Affordable Housing for Ontario IAH have consensus:
80% of Average Market Rent
• SIF is 80% of average market rent and CMHC Co -investment is 80%
of median market rent.
CMHC-Affordability Thresholds in Durham Region (80%
of Average Market Rent)
Based upon 2018 calculations, Clarington has the
following AMR designations (net 201/o):
- Allowable rent for Bachelor
apartments ($656 per month)
- Allowable rent for 1 Bedroom
apartment ($826 per month)
- Allowable rent for 2 Bedroom
apartment ($935 per month)
- Allowable average rent for 3 Bedroom
apartment ($1,044 per month)
CMHC, 2018
Knowing
This
How Can We Do Our
Part
to
Bridge
the Gap?
What can Clarington
incentivize change?
Municipal Regulatory and
Process Tools Land Based Incentives Financial Incentives
Municipal Regulatory and
Process Tools
Expedited Approvals Process
This tool has been a component of affordable housing strategies in a
number of areas including the City of Toronto and the City of Saskatoon.
The utility of this tool is that it provides a fast -tracking process which
can reduce the costs associated with holding undeveloped land, reduce
development risk, and allow construction to begin sooner (lowering
financing costs).
Example:
Clarington (Priority Application Status)
Application Assistance -
CommunityOutreach
Providing developers, not -for -profits and other interested parties with up-to-
date information around affordable housing and the process to access
potential government incentives. Much of this is an educational piece, which
could extend further to the general public to explain what affordable housing is
and how the community is supporting it. Linking Transit Oriented Development
to affordable housing around the proposed Courtice and Bowmanville GO
Train sites is another key component.
Examples:
Region of Durham has a database with relevant resources for housing
providers.
City of Mississauga (public education and outreach to explain to community
how secondary suites work and the role their play in helping alleviate the
affordability crisis).
Reduction in Parking
Requirements
Providing parking increases the cost of development. A reduction of
parking requirements could further facilitate pedestrian -friendly and
transit -supportive communities.
Secondary Suites (Incentivize and Reduce
Barriers)
Within Bill 108, the Ontario Government made it clear that they believe
secondary suites are a key part of the affordable housing solution. There are a
number of advantages and disadvantages to this solution. SHS Consulting
listed a number of those out for the City of Kawartha Lakes and County of
Haliburton in a recent study.
Example:
The Municipality of Clarington provides a development charge exemption for
the creation of one additional unit (apartment -in-house) in a single detached
dwelling, semi-detached building or townhouse dwelling where the gross floor
area of the additional unit does not exceed the original gross floor area of the
existing dwelling.
Source: SHS Consulting, 2017
Advantages
Second units can provide a solution to the
demand for affordable rental housing such as
youth, older adults and new immigrants and
assists households facing financial challenges to
stay in a community such as homebuyers with
limited equity or on fixed incomes
Second units provide affordable rental housing in
a neighbourhood setting without major
government assistance, as they do not generally
put much of a demand on local governments
except for inspections and education
In many areas, very little rental housing is being
built and secondary suites are a cost-effective
way of addressing rental housing needs, while
also achieving housing densification in both
urban and rural areas
Second units can make better use of existing
infrastructure where demographic shifts in
neighbourhoods may have resulted in capacity
Homeowners can reduce their monthly carrying
costs by an average of 22.5% with a second unit
Disadvantages
Secondary suites are often provided illegally,
even in areas where they have been legalized,
because it is expensive to bring units up to
current standards (e.g. fire and building code
compliance)
There can be strong opposition to legalizing
secondary suites from local residents
Secondary suites may add increased pressure
on crowded streets where parking is limited
Many homeowners are reluctant to go through
the complex procedures associated with creating
a secondary suite, including getting proper
approvals
There is a concern with regard to illegal second
units that do not meet health and safety
standards
There is limited information on existing illegal
units
The impact of second units on the character of a
neighbourhood is a common community concern
Permitting Garden Suites
Section 39.1 A one -unit detached residential structure containing
bathroom and kitchen facilities that is ancillary to an existing residential
structure and that is designed to be portable. 2002, c. 17, Sched. 8, s. 12.
The Strong Communities through Affordable Housing Act, 2011 amended
the Planning Act to allow municipalities to pass temporary use by-laws
authorizing garden suites as a temporary use for up to 20 years.
Municipalities can also extend the temporary authorization for garden
suites by further three-year increments.
Example:
The Draft Zoning By-law released in November 2018 for the rural portion
of Clarington proposes to permit a secondary apartment dwelling on a
rural residential property as well as Agriculturally zoned parcels within
the existing dwelling or detached garage.
Indusionary Zoning
Planning tool that calls for a required number of affordable units to be
built within a specific area. This powers of this tool have been amended
and restricted only to Major Transit Station Areas (MTSA). They also
require upper -tier inclusion in the Official Plan.
Despite not having approved stations or inclusion in the appropriate
planning documents, Inclusionary Zoning could be explored in MTSAs in
Courtice and Bowmanville (Transportation hubs).
Mechanism to "Make it Happen", whereas enforcement of up to 30%
affordable less clear.
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Bowmanville
Metrolinx option 1, 2 & 4 — Constraints and Opportunities
Existing homes, approx. 2,230
= 6,228 people
Approved Residential
215 townhomes
1,065 apartments
= 2,512 people
Residential Applications
118 townhomes
= 302 people
Vacant Lands, 12.9 ha
= 1,936 people
TOTAL=10,978 people
Land Based
Incentives
Providing Land
In a high number of cases, affordable housing projects are able to be
successful because the land is either gifted or provided at a below -
market value. The Municipality has identified surplus land that could be
designated for affordable usage, either through:
a) Land lease
b) Donation
c) Sale (below market value)
Partnerships could be forged with other government entities to look at
undertaking similar arrangements (school boards, Regional government,
etc.)
Financial
Incentives
Phasing, Deferring or Waiving
Development Charges
By reducing the financial burden on the project it would free up cash to
be spent elsewhere on the project. Even deferring or phasing the
payments can be a great help.
Recent changes to the DC Act provides for longer payment terms
• 21 payments over 20 years for non-profit developments
• 6 payments over 5 years for rental housing (not non-profit)
The opportunity exists in 2020 when updating Clarington's DC by-law to
consider other DC incentives.
Example:
Clarington has entered into agreements to defer collection of
Development Charges (e.g. Parkview).
Phasing, Deferring or Waiving
Development Application Fees
By reducing the financial burden on the project it would free up cash to
be spent elsewhere on the project. Even deferring or phasing the
payments can be a great help.
Example:
Clarington offers a 50% reduction for not -for -profit and registered
charitable organizations (e.g. Parkview).
Waive Security Requirements
Builders are required to put up funds to meet security requirements
under development agreements. In Newcastle, Parkview Lodge was
required to put up thousands of dollars to secure servicing costs. The
Municipality waived that requirement.
Property Tax Rate Rebate
In order to qualify for the affordable housing fund under the SIRAH
Program, the host municipality must set the property tax rate at that of
residential, not multi -residential. This is in the form of an annual rebate
of taxes paid.
Example:
Clarington Council utilized this tool to assist Parkview Lodge by
employing a rebate (from multi -residential to residential). This rebate
has a 20 year term, provided that the project remains an eligible
affordable housing project. The forgone revenue is $4,055/year in 2019
dollars.
Community Benefit Charges
Background
The new provincial act "Bill 108: More Homes, More Choices Act" will
remove soft services (Parks, Recreation, Library and Planning Studies)
from development charges and move these services to a Community
Benefit Charge (CBC). The implication of this change is not yet known,
as the regulations of the Act have not been released. It is in anticipated
that the regulations will be released in October.
Community Benefit Charges
Exemptions from community benefits (Proposed Regulations)
Proposed content
The Minister is proposing that the following types of developments be exempt from
charges for community benefits under the Planning Act:
• Long-term care homes
• Retirement homes
• Universities and colleges
• Memorial homes, clubhouses or athletic grounds of the Royal Canadian Legion
• Hospices
• Non-profit housing
Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan
City of Cambrige
The Affordable Housing Community
Improvement Plan (CIP) is a program
implemented by the City of Cambridge to
minimize the financial barriers to the creation of
affordable housing projects by introducing
incentive -based programs. The Affordable
Housing CIP was adopted by Council on
November 15th, 2016 and offers eligible
projects exemption from municipal fees
including planning application, building permit
and sign permit fees; deferral of development
charges and Tax Increment Grants.
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Other Initiatives on the Horizon
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What has success looked
like?
I o-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness
Prevention Strategy
Suggested Municipal Tools to Incentivize Affordable Housing:
• 100% Development Charge Relief • Dedicated Project Manager/Fast
• 100% Property Tax Incentives Track Approval System
• 100% Waived Planning and Building • Pre -zoned Areas (Flexible Zoning)
Fees • Surplus Land (Pre -Approved)
• Reduced/Waived Parkland
Dedication Requirements
• Reduced Parking Requirements
• Economical Built Forms
• Capital Funding
• Promotion of Inclusionary Zoning
SIMCs
I o-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness
Prevention Strategy
Whidmg OawmPoymenFkswome Compkel ms by OARS
SrMCQ� y
Summary of What We Have
Done
• Priority Application Process
• Secondary Suite Support
• Development Charge Deferral
• 50% Reduction of Development Application Fee Costs
• Waive Security Requirements
• Property Tax Rate Rebate
The Bottom Line...