February 1st, 2018

Statement from Toronto-Danforth NDP MPP Peter Tabuns on Affordable Housing

Toronto-Danforth NDP MPP Peter Tabuns issued a statement following the release of a joint letter from over 60 housing and poverty advocacy organizations calling for changes to inclusionary zoning regulations:

“Kathleen Wynne had the opportunity to ease this affordable housing crisis and set aside an adequate portion of residential developments to be affordably-priced homes – a policy known as inclusionary zoning –but she catered to developers and let us down. Housing and rental costs in Toronto have reached a tipping point, families are being priced out of their neighbourhood and many have lost hope that they can afford to raise their children in the community that they have long called home.

Kathleen Wynne must reverse her decision to cap the number of affordable units to just five percent in most cases, compared to the up to 30 per cent recommended by experts. Instead of forcing municipalities to pay up to 40 per cent of the costs for these units and even excluding rental units entirely the Premier should strengthen inclusionary zoning rules to help people put a roof over their heads.

Toronto is now the most expensive rental market in Canada – families need action to grow affordable housing, not developer friendly regulations from a premier that continues to let us down.

New Democrats will make sure affordable housing rules cater to families. We’re committed to strengthening inclusionary zoning policies and repairing our crumbling social housing units so all families have an affordable place to live. We’re committed to funding one-third of the costs of repairs to current affordable and social housing units in partnership with municipalities and the federal government. It’s time to do better for Ontario’s families and restore hope that you can afford to find a place to call home anywhere in the province.”