After detailed discussion, the Task Force identified housing affordability as its mandate.
The Task Force confirmed its requirement to identify solutions to the housing affordability problem by considering some of the following:
- Invite stakeholders, such as local planners, Conservation Authorities and members of BILD and CMHC to depute at future Task Force meetings
- Identify how to overcome existing challenges using best practices and available tools
- Identify appropriate rental housing locations within York Region; work together for a regional solution
- Consider whether getting housing supply more quickly addresses the housing affordability issue
- Consider whether the Task Force's focus should be on increasing rental supply
- Planning approval process including federal and provincial
- Review opportunities to provide incentives
- Special division to fast track applications
- Advocacy and action around rental accommodation as we urbanize
The following tools were identified for consideration and review:
- Builders to include finished rental units in new housing builds
- Building triplexes and fourplexes - incentive for home owners to provide rentals
- Section 37 bonusing
- Land Trust where organizations rent to their own clients
- Laneway housing, granny suites, second suites, etc.
- Planning reforms
- An investment arm of York Region to buy/sell land and ensure development is purpose built
- Regulating housing where home owner cannot sell for more than a prescribed percentage of purchase price