Ontario urgently needs a ‘made-in-Ontario’ affordable housing plan with real targets, timelines and funding to meet the diverse housing needs of real Ontarians. That was the key message that the Wellesley Institute’s Michael Shapcott delivered to Ontario housing minister Rick Bartolucci in a meeting today. In his written brief, Shapcott provided an overview of housing policy and funding in Ontario over the past two decades – where Ontario has followed the lead of the federal government (feds cancelled funding of new affordable homes in 1993, Ontario followed in 1995; feds transferred administration of most affordable housing programs to provinces starting in 1996, Ontario downloaded to municipalities starting in 1998). Recent Ontario affordable housing investments have also followed the federal lead. With continuing erosion of housing investments as the national level, the Wellesley Institute has offered practical recommendations to the Ontario government for a pragmatic and effective housing plan that meets the complex and diverse housing needs of all Ontarians.
'Made-in-Ontario' affordable housing plan urgently required: Written brief to provincial housing minister
