We can’t sprawl our way to affordable housing

March 22, 2023

QUEEN'S PARK — Ontario Greens leader and MPP for Guelph Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to reports that only 8 per cent of approved affordable rental units have been built in Toronto over the past six years – 1,617 units total.

“The lack of progress on creating affordable rental housing in Toronto over the past six years is appalling. People and families are paying the price for policy failures in higher rents.

This is a perfect example of the housing affordability crisis that is affecting communities all over the province.

Recent pro-sprawl, pro-speculator housing legislation makes it clear that the Ford government has no plan to make housing more affordable for the people of Ontario.

They’re more focused on building expensive homes in the wrong places – on our farmland, wetlands and green spaces.

Ontario Greens have proposed plenty of solutions that would put an end to Ontario’s housing affordability crisis. Solutions like:

• Allowing fourplexes and four-story walkup apartments in existing neighbourhoods, creating more attainable home ownership and rental options in affordable, connected communities;
• Cutting red tape by allowing for midrise buildings along major roads and transit corridors;
• Investing in desperately needed deeply affordable non-profit and co-op housing;
• Ramping up investments in permanent supportive housing with wrap-around mental health and other supports, so that everyone has a safe place to live

We can’t sprawl our way to affordable housing. It’s time for the Ford government to stop passing the buck and deliver real solutions to the housing affordability crisis.”

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