Ontario government's Housing Supply Action Plan will make home ownership a reality again: RESCON

VAUGHAN, ON, May 2, 2019 /CNW/ - The Ontario government's ambitious Housing Supply Action Plan paves a pathway for the province to start patching up its shattered housing system and failed policies of the past, says RESCON president Richard Lyall.

"Bringing more supply to the market will ultimately help desperately needed affordability and housing choices, including the missing middle. It will also open up the province's broken rental market," Lyall says.

"Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark is passionate about this issue. He is putting people first, including millennials and the generations to follow, so that they can achieve the dream of home ownership through the future success of More Homes, More Choice."

The reason why this Action Plan will be effective, Lyall says, is that it's comprehensive and targets the province's complex housing crisis on many fronts. Among its goals, Lyall agrees that the Action Plan will:

1. Cut red tape to make it easier to build the right types of housing in the right places.
2. Make housing more affordable through increased supply.
3. Help taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned dollars.

Lyall added that the Plan will begin to address the current system's deficiencies, including updating antiquated zoning, streamlining the site plan approval process and helping foster an environment of certainty for the residential construction industry.

According to a 2017 University of Toronto study, rezoning for Toronto high-rises averaged 3.5 years, well beyond the target timeline of nine months. This gives context to why more than 100,000 housing units are currently held up in the appeals process, according to Minister Clark.

"Delays, duplication and red tape were choking supply, raising costs and hurting young families," Lyall says. "The government's Action Plan will make projects more predictable to do business, lower risk, and increase investment and jobs.

"Meanwhile, we are committed to working with the government to help roll out their vision. Government and industry can work together to help Ontarians make the dream of home ownership a reality."

WHAT IS RESCON?

It is the Residential Construction Council of Ontario, a unique association that represents
new-home and condominium builders on issues which include labour relations, health and safety,
WSIB, labour training and apprenticeship, building code reform and technical standards.

SOURCE Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON)