Let's talk about the Housing Crisis in Ontario
Where we're at...
It's what everyone's talking about, because housing in Canada is literally in crisis.
Over the span of a decade, the average house price has risen 180% while the average income has only grown by 38%.
Ontario has just under 400 housing units per 1000 people (tied with Alberta for lowest in Canada!)
Over the last 10 years, the cost of renting and apartment has increased by 50% in some places
Landlord’s Own Use eviction claims (kicking out tenants to move in yourself) have nearly doubled since 2015
So many people owning homes aren't even living there:
More than 1 in 4 homebuyers in Ontario are investors
Let's take a closer look
It's not just bad - it's especially bad for the same people who so often end up in vulnerable positions because of all the systemic and institutional issues that exist in this country. (See: healthcare, education, social supports, etc.)
Low-income renters are at the highest risk of eviction and homelessness
Over 50% of POC across Canada live in unaffordable, overcrowded, inadequate homes; 52% of lowest-income POC in Canada live in Ontario
Indigenous Peoples are 11 times more likely to experience homelessness
"There's no time to waste"
Look - housing is an issue overseen primarily by provinces, so they're the ones responsible for addressing this crisis.
Ford's response
In response to growing public concern (*cough* and the upcoming election), Premier Doug Ford and Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark formed the Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force.
Role of the task force
The main purpose was to provide recommendations for how Ontario can increase its market housing supply and improve affordability. The task force was created in December 2021. The 33-page report provides a comprehensive overview of the housing crisis including actionable, concrete solutions.
Recommendation: Ontario should build 1.5 million homes over the next 10 years
“The way housing is approved and built was designed for a different era when the province was less constrained by space and had fewer people. But it no longer meets the needs of Ontarians. The balance has swung too far in favour of lengthy consultations, bureaucratic red tape, and costly appeals. It is too easy to oppose new housing and too costly to build. ”
Ford's "More Homes for Everyone Plan"
It will help to...
speed up development approvals and zoning by-law amendments
reduce backlogs at Landlord & Tenant Board & Ontario Land Tribunal
speed up approvals for projects like community centres, hospitals, and non-profit housing
But it doesn't involve...
increasing rent control
investing in affordable housing
providing aid to first-time homebuyers
allowing higher density homes/buildings
building more homes (the key recommendation of the task force!!!)
Playing politics
With the provincial election looming, here's how Ford has said he plans to address the housing crisis so far...
What do other parties say?
For the upcoming election, the NDP has committed to...
Ending exclusionary zoning (to increase housing supply)
Introducing a speculation and vacancy tax
Making renting more affordable and secure via rent control
Restoring the right to in-person eviction hearings
Creating a portable housing benefit to assist those who cannot afford their rent and basic necessities
“The latest Ford Conservative plan has no help for first-time home buyers, no investments in affordable housing, no rent control, no zoning reform, no taxes on developers sitting on land. Ontario Liberals will address this crisis once and for all by acting on these priorities.
”
The Green party has committed to prioritizing "Connected, Affordable, & Sustainable" housing, including building 100,000 new affordable units, renter support and $5 billion over 10 years for a Green building program (creating green jobs)
Also, we need to be talking more about folks who are unhoused
Look, don't get us wrong, as Millennials and Gen Z, we hope to save enough money in our piggy banks to own a home one day even though the system is literally working against us. But more than thinking about our individual housing goals, we must centre housing solutions around the unhoused and most vulnerable folks in Canada.
Canada is a wealthy, resource-rich nation. We have everything we need to systemically solve the growing crisis of folks who are unhoused except political will. Our leaders continuously act like it isn't their problem despite the fact that they were elected to govern the entirety of our province and not just create systems and structures that work for the wealthy and fuck folks who are systemically marginalized. It's not a cute look that we aren't putting resources, time and money into addictions, job retraining, disability supports, accessible mental health resources, subsidized housing, etc., etc., etc.,
When you vote, when you learn about and advocate for affordable and equitable housing, do so in ways that prioritize the unhoused and most vulnerable populations.
Take Action
Feeling fired up? Here are three easy ways to get involved.
Keep Learning
Learn more about the Ontario housing crisis including how it may be affecting those within your local community. Although the Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force Report is full of important information, for those looking for a bit of a lighter read, a simple Google search is a great place to start!
Contact your officials
Ask your elected officials about what they are currently doing/plan to do to address the housing crisis. The more they hear about it, the more likely they will be to do something about it.
Get out and vote!
Read up on each party's housing plan (if they have one) and use this information to inform your vote during the provincial election on June 2. Major bonus points if you complete actions 1 and 2 first!
Sources: Report of the Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force, Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA), CBC News, Ontario New Democratic Party, Ontario Liberal Party
