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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-232-91 THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE DN:HOU-FRA.GPA REPORT Meeting: General Purpose and Administration committee File# Date: Monday, October 7, 1991 Res. # By-Law# Report#:-----pD-24,)-cJj1e D04. 095.AF Subject: "A HOUSING FRAMEWORK FOR ONTARIO" - AN ONTARIO GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION PAPER Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PD-232-91 be received. 2 . THAT Report PD-232-91 be adopted as the Town's comments on the provincial consultation paper "A Housing Framework for Ontario" . 3 . THAT a copy of this report and Council's decision be forwarded to the Honourable Evelyn Gigantes, Minister of Housing. 1. BACKGROUND 1. 1 one of the Ontario government's top priorities is to ensure that all residents of the province have a decent affordable place to live. To this end, the Provincial government is trying to undertake various initiatives which will make its housing policy more responsive. 1. 2 On July 15, 1991, Council received a letter dated June 19, 1991, from Dave Cooke, Minister of Housing, requesting Council's help in developing a Comprehensive Housing Policy for Ontario. Two reports were referred to the Planning and Development for review and preparation of a report. one of these reports was entitled: "A Housing Framework for Ontario - Issues for Consultation" . REPORT NO. : PD-232-91 PAGE 2 2. A HOUSING FRAMEWORK FOR ONTARIO - ISSUES FOR CONSULTATION 2 . 1 The provincial government released this consultation paper to receive public input into a proposed "Housing Framework" . This "Housing Framework" is intended to help manage the use of housing programs to better achieve the government's housing objectives. It reviews current housing programs and expenditures and examines future alternatives for government programs. 2 .2 Fundamental Principles Four fundamental principles are established for housing: - Access to safe, secure, and affordable housing, suitable to people's needs, is a basic human right; - Housing is fundamental to individual and family well- being and the quality of life in Ontario communities; - Housing contributes significantly to the prosperity and stability of Ontario's economy; and - Responsibility for the provision of housing is shared among all levels of government and among all sectors of Ontario's economy and society. 2 . 3 Housing Policy Priorities The Ministry of Housing is moving forward with a number of strategies to help it realize its four fundamental principles. These include the introduction of: a) a new system of rent control; b) making better use of government lands for housing (subject of Report PD-233-91) ; REPORT NO. : PD-232-91 PAGE 3 C) enhancing the quality of life in public housing (subject of another consultation paper) ; d) increasing the supply of affordable housing. The latter priority area is being dealt with by the 1989 Land Use for Housing Policy Statement, which requires municipalities to set aside 25 percent of land for affordable housing and to set in place ways in which greater intensification can be achieved. 2 . 4 Housing and Overall Government Objectives This section discusses how housing programs support the government's broader objectives of: - social policy and reduction of poverty; - justice and empowerment; - environmental stewardship; and - economic growth and prosperity. 2 . 5 Understanding the Housing crisis: Affordability Supply, Adequacy, and Access This section outlines the factors that are causing the housing crisis. Some of the factors include: affordability problems (high housing costs and low incomes) ; insufficient supply of rental housing, inadequate housing; and physical and socio-economic obstacles blocking equal access to housing. These problems need to be addressed by a variety of initiatives, not all of which fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Housing. The Ministry of Housing has a responsibility in the area of housing supply and the preservation of the existing housing n-, REPORT NO. : PD-232-91 PAGE 4 stock. Other public policy initiatives which will aid in the housing crisis are pay equity, minimum wage, employment equity, and the Social Assistance Review Committee. 2 . 6 Basis for Reform: Building on Strong Foundation This section presents a number of detailed policy objectives which contribute to the realization of the four fundamental principles outlined in Section 2 .2 . These objectives are considered to be the basis for future government action and are consequently used as "benchmarks" for evaluating solutions that are raised for consultation. 2 . 7 Issues To Be Resolved Through Consultation This section provides a detailed listing of issues facing the Ministry of Housing in sponsoring the development of housing. The issues are divided into nine areas and include questions for consultation and several possible solutions. No recommendations are made in order to receive the views and suggestions of the public which will be used to develop the final policy initiatives. The nine issue areas that are to be resolved through consultation are: 1. Planning for Predictable Housing The amount and type of housing to be supported by the programs, who should be served and how housing should be provided 2 . Building Quality Housing Examines factors associated with building quality housing such as: procurement techniques; cost effective measures to control construction costs 1 REPORT NO. : PD-232-91 PAGE 5 financing resources; building design and standard; and the role of residents in developing affordable housing. 3 . Managing Quality Housing A discussion of the need for high quality management of assisted housing. 4 . Better Use of Existing Housing Stock An examination of ways to make better use of all existing housing stock including non-profit, co- operative, and publicly and privately owned housing. It also involves a variety of issues ranging from standards for repair and rehabilitation to intensification. 5. Access to Housing An examination of issues related to accessibility including eligibility, priority and special needs. 6. Strategies for Housing Provision Partnerships A review of ways in which the provincial government can share the responsibility of housing provision with the private sector and the municipal and federal levels of government. 7 . Strategies for Sector and Community Development Explores a possible "infrastructure" through which the government, social service agencies and the volunteer sector can develop a co-operative relationship to undertake housing initiatives. 8. Strategies for Land Supply, Retention and Financing A review of alternative ways to acquire land as efficiently as possible to ensure that the affordable housing objectives are met. REPORT NO. : PD-232-91 PAGE 6 9. Strategies for Program Delivery and Administration A review of current program practices and new ideas for adminstration and program delivery. 3. QUESTIONS FOR CONSULTATION FOR EACH ISSUE Each of the nine housing issues presented in the document were followed by questions for consultation. Due to the extensive number of questions listed for each issue, it has been necessary to limit the following discussion to the issues and questions which are most directly related to the Town of Newcastle. The response of the Town is listed directly after the questions. 3 . 1 Planning for Predictable Housing 3 . 1. 1 What is the best planning cycle for housing expenditures? A continuous planning cycle, as opposed to an annual, short term (3 years) or longer term (5-10 years) cycle is recommended to enable quick response to the housing market which is constantly changing. Moreover, the allocation of units should not be tied too closely to budget years to ensure that municipal planning reviews are not compromised by the need to commit funds by prescribed deadlines. 3 . 1. 2 How should the mix of housing types and tenures be determined for housing receiving assistance? The Ministry of Housing should not just concern itself with the provision of permanent housing, but should be addressing any type of housing or shelter-related problems. In this regard, it should form linkages with other ministries and agencies to simplify the allocation process. The mix of housing types and tenures to receive housing assistance should be determined on a case-by-case assessment which considers factors such as V. ) i REPORT NO. : PD-232-91 PAGE 7 community need, cost-effectiveness, market conditions, compatibility with other goals, etc. 3 . 1. 3 How should the total number of units to be assisted through direct government expenditures be determined? The total number of units to be assisted through direct government expenditures should be determined by a series of community assessments and by recognizing the fiscal capacity of the government, the not-for-profit sector, and the planning process. It should not be considered on the basis of an economic stimulus or waiting lists. 3 . 1. 4 What building forms and standards should be assisted? The government should seek to utilize government assisted housing as a model for the rest of the community. In this sense, the Ministry should encourage higher quality of life and environment protection techniques. It should not, however, provide housing which is viewed as being extravagant. For example, rooms should be of minimum sizes. 3 . 2 Better Use of Existing Housing Stock 3 .2 . 1 Should the government make expenditures to assist in the rehabilitation of privately-held buildings to provide affordable and adequate accommodation? If so, under what circumstances? Since the existing housing stock represents a valuable resource which is aging, it is necessary for the government to make expenditures to assist in the rehabilitation of privately-held buildings. This can be done through various programs, such as the Low-Rise Rehabilitation Program, Ontario Home Renewal Program for Disabled, and the Convert-to-Rent, which are already in existence. 3 . 2 . 2 What can be done to better utilise the existing stock for housing? A shortage of affordable housing produces the need for many alternative ways to produce housing including utilizing the existing housing stock in better ways. 1 �J REPORT NO. : PD-232-91 PAGE 8 The Town supports several of the possible solutions outlined for this question and they include: - promote the conversion of appropriate non- residential buildings for residential purposes - develop a technical demonstration program to assist with the identification of structural modification options - encourage better use of existing housing without physical modification (e.g. , home sharing, housing unit exchanges) - provide study grants to municipalities to encourage intensification The Town has concerns with widespread intensification efforts which can lead to the targeting of older historic neighbourhoods and ultimately to a process of deterioration. In order to facilitate intensification, the Provincial Government should: 1. Amend the Landlord and Tenant Act to provide that a landlord's refusal to comply with building and property standards may result in the relocation of the tenant and/or the municipality undertaking needed repairs and maintenance, with all costs being recovered as taxes. 2 . Amend the Landlord Tenant Act to provide the ability for a homeowner to evict expeditiously an incompatible tenant from a second unit. 3 . Provide zoning by-law, property standards and building code inspectors with reasonable and effective rights of entry to dwellings, for purposes of inspection for compliance with the Building Code and municipal by-laws. 1 I REPORT NO. : PD-232-91 PAGE 9 3 .2 . 3 To what extent and under what circumstances should intensification of Ontario Housing Corporation sites occur to increase the supply of affordable housing? l I Intensification initiatives on OHC sites should be i evaluated on a case-by-case assessment, taking into I' consideration the neighbourhood capacity to absorb increased densities, municipal servicing concerns and legitimate neighbourhood opposition. i i I i 3 . 2 .4 What are the best means of ensuring that the existing stock is maintained at a level which ensures its continued viability? i As we indicated in 3 .2 . 1, the existing housing stock represents a valuable resource which must be 1 maintained. It would be helpful if the government made expenditures to assist in the rehabilitation of ' privately-held buildings. In addition, the province could require municipalities to set out building performance standards and enforce them. i I 3 . 3 Strategies for Housing Provision Partnership 3 . 3 . 1 Should the government provide direct financial assistance to the private sector as an incentive to create affordable rental housing? If so, on what basis? i The government could provide direct financial assistance i to the private sector when it is deemed more cost- , effective than other alternatives, and when it best meets government goals such as, intensification, urban I i REPORT NO. : PD-232-91 PAGE 10 renewal, access for person with physical, developmental and/or psychiatric disabilities. 3 . 3 . 2 What should the future role of municipalities be in relation to the delivery of assisted housing programs? Municipalities should "fast track" affordable housing proposals or could be encouraged to establish municipal not-profit housing agencies but the not-for-profit housing providers and the private sector should remain as the prominant means of developing affordable housing in Ontario. 3 . 4 Strategies for Land Supply, Retention and Financing 3 . 4 . 1 What measures could be put into place to reduce the program cost of land for assisted housing? The Town advocates the following solutions: - creating a land banking facility for housing programs - encouraging not-for-profit housing providers to seek philanthropic or charitable donations in order to secure land - using available government land - The Town objects to the recommendation that developers be requested to donate land for affordable housing in lieu of Planning Act requirements (ie. parkland dedication) . 4 . CONCLUSION The consultation paper entitled: "A Housing Framework for Ontario" , raised many issues, some of which require complicated solutions. Town Staff has attempted to comment on issues that directly impact on the Town of Newcastle. REPORT NO. : PD-232-91 PAGE 11 The second step of the consultation process will involve the Ministry of Housing collecting comments made by various municipalities in regards to this document. When the consultation process is complete, the Government will determine its policy and develop or refine programs for new housing supply and rehabilitation of the existing housing stock. Respectfully Submitted, Recommended for presentation to the Committee i Franklin Wu, M.C. I.P. Lawrence E Kotseff Director of Planning Chief A i istrative Officer and Development TH*DC*FW*df 16 September 1991 *Attach. Interested parties to be notified of Council and Committee's decision: Housing Policy Branch Ministry of Housing Consultation Paper on Housing Program Framework 2nd Floor 777 Bay Street j Toronto, Ontario. M5G 2E5 I I I