Affordable housing: Builders must step up

Re Affordable housing is top of mind for GTA

residents, Nov. 28 I am disappointed with Bryan Tuckey’s column in respect to the lack of affordable housing alternatives for homebuyers in the GTA.

Mr. Tuckey places blame for a lack of affordability on “government fees and taxes,” outdated municipal bylaws and NIMBYism.

The reality is that some municipalities, including the city of Toronto, have created an entire tool box of incentives that will enable developers to build affordable homes within their communities. For example, the city will defer or waive development charges and other fees to incentivize affordability. They will waive property taxes on affordable rental housing and “fast track” development applications for both affordable ownership and affordable rental housing.

In other words, the city of Toronto is willing to strip away impediments that are allegedly holding back the production of affordable housing.

Ideally, the Building Industry and Land Development Association will embrace this “incentive-based approach” and strongly encourage its members to integrate affordable housing within every new community they build.

Today, our industry has a time-limited opportunity to voluntarily demonstrate it is serious about affordability. The tools, resources and political support are available. All that is needed is the will.

If the industry isn’t willing to “step up,” there is no doubt that government will need to “step in” with a “regulatory approach” to ensure that every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home. Mitchell Cohen, president, The Daniels Corporation, Toronto