For Immediate Release
April 20, 2017
Statement by Mayor Crombie: Ontario’s Fair Housing Plan
The following is a statement by Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie in response to the provincial government’s Ontario Fair Housing Plan announced today:
“Today the Ontario government announced measures to address housing affordability in the Greater Toronto Area.
“I am encouraged by many of these measures, but I believe that further study and analysis is needed to better understand what these new measures mean for Mississauga and how they will impact our housing market.
“I will be raising this for discussion at our Council meeting to take place next Wednesday, April 26.
“In the interest of accountability and transparency, I strongly believe any and all revenue generated by new tax measures must go directly toward creating more affordable housing options and the building of regionally-integrated transit, so we can build critically needed housing and allow people to more easily get to and from home.
“I further welcome the government’s commitment to work closely with municipalities, especially the recommendation for a housing advisory group. Mississauga Council and staff understand acutely the urgency to make housing more affordable for homebuyers and renters in Mississauga.
“Mississauga is doing its part to give people more options for affordable housing here in our community with our new action plan: Making Room for the Middle: A Housing Strategy for Mississauga.
“Ideas brought forward in Mississauga’s plan are consistent with some of the measures the Ontario government has announced today, including:
- A Housing First Policy for surplus lands to develop a mix of market housing and new, permanent, sustainable and affordable housing supply
- Ensuring that property tax for new multi-residential apartment buildings is charged at a similar rate as other residential properties
- Rebate and dedicate a portion of development charges to build new purpose-built rental housing
“Put simply, all options must be on the table to ensure people who want to live, and build a better life for their families in Mississauga and the GTA, are able to do so.”
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