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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIDT 01-03 6. J.. f..e......... J:# L.f Ciú¡ o~ REPORT TO FINANCE & OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Report Number: lOT 01-03 Date: June 19,2003 From: Interdepartmental Development Team Subject: City of Pickering Participation in Region of Durham's Proposed Community Rental Housing Program Recommendations: 1. That Council RECEIVE IDT Report Number 01-03 of the Interdepartmental Development Team respecting the Region of Durham's proposed Community Rental Housing Program; 2. That the Region BE ADVISED that Council supports programs that facilitate the development of rental housing; 3. That the Region BE ADVISED that Council does not support the Region's Community Rental Housing Program, as established, given the inappropriately low Provincial financial contribution and the high required Area Municipal contribution for a matter that is not a primary municipal financial responsibility; 4. That the Region BE ADVISED that the City is unable to participate in this program given both the required level of Area Municipal contribution under this program and the City's current financial resources; 5. That Council ENDORSE the staff comments on technical program details, as set out in Appendix I, including support for the Regional concerns; That the City Clerk FORWARD a copy of Report Number IDT 01-03 to the Region of Durham. Executive Summary: The Region of Durham has requested Area Municipalities to indicate their willingness to participate in the proposed Region of Durham Community Rental Housing Program (CRHP) and a number of program parameters. The CRHP is a Federal/Provincial program to provide capital subsidies to developers of affordable rental housing. The subsidies are to be funded by a Federal grant of $25,000 per unit to match a Provincial grant of $2,000 and Municipal (Regional and Area municipalities) subsidies up to $23,000 per unit. Report I DT 01-03 Date: June 19, 2003 Subject: City of Pickering Participation in Region of Durham's Proposed Community Rental Housing Program Page 2 Both Area and Regional municipalities are to meet this obligation by changing the taxation class for the affordable units to the same class as condominiums ('foregone' taxes) and by providing direct grants up to the value of development charges. 'Foregone' taxes for the 35 units allocated to Pickering equal $9,845 per unit ($344,568 over 20 years). Direct costs of the grants to Pickering up to $2632 per unit ($92,120) would have to be paid in 2004 or 2005. These costs would increase to $188,600 if the City participated at the full development charge rate of $5,400 per unit. The City of Pickering supports the provision of needed housing, including affordable and rental housing in Pickering through the policies of the Pickering Official Plan and has, from time-to-time, provided individual support such as the subsidy recently authorized by Council to an Options for Homes affordable condominium. However, support for the CRHP program is not recommended for two reasons. Firstly, the Provincial contribution of $2,000 per unit is too low in comparison to the required funding by the Regional and Area Municipalities. On principle, with its much greater and more flexible income sources, the Province should pay a larger proportion of the costs for affordable housing: affordable housing should not be downloaded to municipalities as a new responsibility in the guise of a new program. Secondly, the direct subsidy costs of the Regional CRHP of up to $92,120 which would be payable by Pickering in the years 2004 and 2005 are not affordable to the City at this time. The City does not have the financial resources to contribute the required amounts under this program. Also attached to this report are the details of the Region's proposed program set out in Regional Report 2003-J-12 and an Appendix I which contains City staff's technical analysis and comments on the elements of the proposed Regional Community Rental Housing Program and its program parameters. Financial Implications: No financial implications are triggered by declining to participate in the Regional Community Rental Housing Program. 1.0 Backqround: 1.1 The Region has requested Council's participation in the Community Rental Housing Program. On May 7, 2003, the Clerk of the Region of Durham requested comments by June 16, 2003 from the Area Municipalities about their willingness to participate in the proposed Regional Community Rental Housing Program (CRHP) and a number of program parameters (see Attachment #1). Report J DT 01-03 Date: June 19, 2003 Subject: City of Pickering Participation in Region of Durham's Proposed Community Rental Housing Program Page 3 The elements of the proposed Regional CRHP were set out in Regional Report 2003-J-12 (see Attachment #2), along with a number of concerns with the Federal/Provincial program. Due to the short time provided for comments on this detailed program, the Region was advised that this matter will be considered by Pickering Council on June 23, 2003. 1.2 The Region's proposed program follows thorough review of rental housing needs and opportunities. This request follows: . the 2001 "Regional Chair's Task Force on Sustainable/Affordable Housing"; . Pickering's review and Council's subsequent Resolution 43/02, Item #3 in January 2002, requesting a municipal working group to develop program details (see Attachment #3); . development of program elements suitable for the Region of Durham by the arealregional municipal Working Group, including financial/fiscal impact analysis by consultants; and, . design of the proposed Region of Durham CRHP to implement the recently announced Federal/Provincial Community Rental Housing Program, as set out in Regional Report 2003-J-12. 1.3 The Housing Program requires substantial Federal and Municipal subsidy but is hampered by poor Provincial support. The Federal/Provincial CRHP provides Federal capital grants of up to $25,000 per unit to match Provincial funding of $2,000 and Regional/Area Municipal funding of up to $23,000 per unit to subsidize the development of affordable rental housing. Under the CRHP, the Province has allocated approximately 200 units at this time to the Region of Durham, as a high-needs area. 1.4 Allocation of rental units throughout the Region will require substantial Area Municipal and Regional subsidy. The Region is proposing to allocate 35 units of affordable rental housing to Pickering under the CRHP, which reflects the City of Pickering's share of the Region's population (17%). Estimated program costs are outlined in Table 1. The Region calculated the direct costs of subsidies equal to full development charges in each Area Municipality. Report lOT 01-03 Date: June 19, 2003 Subject: City of Pickering Participation in Region of Durham's Proposed Community Rental Housing Program Page 4 Using this calculation, direct costs of participation in the Regional CRHP for the City of Pickering include subsidies of up to an average of approximately $5400 per unit or approximately $188,600 in total (equivalent to Pickering development charges) with direct Regional costs of up to approximately $8350 per unit for a total of approximately $292,000 (equal to Regional development charges) for the units allocated to Pickering. City staff calculate that the direct subsidy required in Pickering would average approximately $2600 per unit or approximately $92,000 in total for Pickering and approximately $4100 per unit or approximately $144,000 in total for the Region in order to leverage the full matching Federal grant to achieve base affordable rents. Increased participation, up to the full City development charge, would provide a greater level of affordability (range of $2,600 per unit to $5,400 per unit). 'Foregone' tax revenue costs are also calculated to justify the Federal matching capital grants which implement a tax class change from multiple residential (purpose-built rental housing) to single residential (same as condominiums) under Provincial legislation. The actual 'foregone' tax revenue costs for the City of Pickering are $9,845 per unit for a total of $344,568 and for the Region are $19,160 per unit for a total of $670,589 for the 35 units allocated to Pickering. Any units not accepted by one Area Municipality can be reallocated to another willing Area Municipality within Durham Region. Report lOT 01-03 Date: June 19, 2003 Subject: City of Pickering Participation in Region of Durham's Proposed Community Rental Housing Program Page 5 Table 1: Regional Community Rental Housing Program Estimated Contributions Over 20 Years Avg Area Average Regional Municipal Regional Pickering Costs in Federal Provincial Costs Costs Costs Pickering Subsidies Equal Per Unit to Full - average $4,008 $6,733 $5,393 $8,350 Development Charges Program 861,807* 1,447,684* 188,763** 292,248** Actual Per Unit Subsidies Required in 2,632 4,118 Pickering to achieve Base Affordable Rent Proaram 92,120** 144,130** Property Tax Per Unit 11,036 16,632 9,845 19,160 ProQram 2,372,845* 3,575,941 * 344,568** 670,589** Other Program Per Unit 25,000 2,000 Contributions Total - 200 5,000,000* 400,000* units TOTAL $5,000,000* $400,000* $3,249,696 * $5,047,190* * 200 units ** 35 units Councillors may wish to read Regional Report 2003-J-12 and the attached fiscal and financial studies for a fuller understanding of the Region's proposed CRHP. 2.0 Discussion 2.1 Pickering Supports Rental Housing. The Pickering Official Plan (POP) includes the objective to encourage the provision of an adequate supply of housing throughout the City, including provision of an adequate supply of affordable, rental, assisted and special needs housing. The POP further includes the policy that Council shall require a minimum 25% of new housing, on a City-wide basis, to be of housing forms that would be affordable to households of low or moderate income. The City of Pickering has continued to support the development of affordable ownership and rental housing in the City. Recently, Council demonstrated its support for affordable housing by reducing its required parkland contribution by $160,000 and deferring collection of development charges to assist in making 220 condominium units proposed by Tridel/Options for Homes at 1200 The Esplanade North (in the City's downtown area) more affordable. Report lOT 01-03 Date: June 19,2003 Subject: City of Pickering Participation in Region of Durham's Proposed Community Rental Housing Program Page 6 The Region should be advised that the City of Pickering continues to support programs that facilitate the development of affordable rental housing in the City of Pickering. 2.2 The Provincial Contribution is inappropriately low, given that affordable rental housing is not a municipal responsibility. As a long established tradition, senior levels of government (Federal and Provincial) have funded almost all of the costs of housing programs in the Province of Ontario. In the CRHP, the Federal Government is contributing up to $25,000 per unit, or 50% of the costs, as matching funds while the Provincial Government is contributing only $2,000 per unit, or 4% of the maximum costs with both Regional and Area Municipalities making up the difference of 46% of the per unit costs. In Pickering, 'foregone' tax revenue for both the Region and Pickering is valued at approximately $16,250 (32.5%) per unit, leaving an average of $6,750 (13.5%) per unit to be paid by direct Regional and Area Municipal subsidies. This results in an average direct Regional and Area Municipal subsidy requirement of approximately $6,750 per unit, in Pickering. The Provincial Government has a broad range of income sources and much greater discretion to raise the financial resources to meet its needs. Municipalities, on the other hand, rely mainly on one source for their income, property tax. In addition, Area Municipalities have a much narrower property tax base than Regional Municipalities and have also not been downloaded the responsibility for social housing. Over the past 8 years, the Province of Ontario has downloaded significant responsibilities to municipalities while also proposing to limit municipalities ability to increase tax rates by a suggested requirement for a referendum for any tax increase. In this environment, it is not equitable or fair for the Province to contribute just 4% of the cost of this program and expect Regional and Area Municipalities to provide the 46% shortfall. It is most inequitable for both designated 'service managers' of social housing (Le., the Region of Durham) and local municipalities that have no formal housing responsibilities, to be 'downloaded' a new housing responsibility of such magnitude. If the Province were to come much closer to eliminating the need for direct municipal subsidy, the formula would be more acceptable. For example, if the Provincial subsidy were raised to eliminate the need for direct Area Municipal contribution, it would be more supportable on equitable grounds. Report IDT 01-03 Date: June 19, 2003 Subject: City of Pickering Participation in Region of Durham's Proposed Community Rental Housing Program Page 7 2.3 The City is unable to participate financially, given current financial resources. The direct cost of participation in the program of up to a subsidy of approximately $92,000 is not possible at this time or within the next few years, at least. This subsidy would represent approximately 0.5% of the City budget. In order to provide such a subsidy, funds would have to be budgeted for this amount in the year 2004 with actual program expenditure expected late in 2004 and in 2005. Difficult financial challenges face the City in 2004. The City should not willingly accept any new responsibilities with financial implications of this magnitude. The Region should be so advised. 2.4 Comments on the proposed Regional Community Rental Housing Program parameters are provided in the Appendix to this report. City staff analysis and comments on the proposed Region of Durham CRHP and its program parameters are set out in Appendix I to Report Number lOT 01-03. Report I DT 01-03 Date: June 19, 2003 Subject: City of Pickering Participation in Region of Durham's Proposed Community Rental Housing Program Page 8 Attachments: 1. 2. 3. Regional Clerk's Letter Requesting Comments, dated May 7,2003 Regional Report 2003-J-12, dated May 7,2003, with Attachments Pickering City Council Resolution 43/02, Item #3 Prepared By: Approved I Endorsed By: Catherine Rose Manager, Policy Neil Carroll Director, Plann ng & Development . -~~ -?~ Gillis Paterson Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer - SG:ld:jf Th mas J. Ouin Chief Administrative Officer '. " Copy: Director, Corporate Services & Treasures Director, Planning & Development Recommended for the consideration of Pickering Cit - C unci! .' , APPENDIX I to REPORT NUMBER IDT 01-03 City Staff Comments on the proposed REGION OF DURHAM COMMUNITY RENTAL HOUSING PROGRAM and its program parameters Aþpendix I to Report IDT 01-03 Subject: City Staff Comments on Region of Durham Community Rental Housing Program Page 1 1.0 The ReQion's Request: The Region is canvassing area municipal willingness to participate with the Region of Durham in the Federal/Provincial Community Rental Housing Program, both in general and specifically as it relates to a number of program parameters. Once the feedback is received, Regional staff will proceed to the next steps, which include proposing an enabling Municipal Housing Facilities by-law for adoption by Regional Council, and criteria to be contained in Regional tender documents for each participating area municipality for further consideration by the respective area municipalities. 1.1 In response to the Region's Task Force on Sustainable/Affordable Housing, the City of Pickering recommended that an Affordable Rental Housing Working Group refine, clarify and identify specific implementation details for further consideration by Area Municipal Councils. In December 2002, the Durham Regional Chair's Task Force on Sustainable/Affordable Housing Report provided a thorough review of the challenges to producing affordable housing and an Action Plan to overcome the barriers to stimulate creation of new affordable housing in the Region. The serious need for affordable housing was evidenced by very low rental housing vacancy rates, rental rate increases exceeding inflation and real household income, significant percentage of residents paying more than 30% of their gross income on shelter, growing waiting lists for social housing and increasing homelessness. The Task Force Report concluded that the greatest challenge is a significant gap between the market rents necessary to pay the capital costs to justify construction of new rental units and the level of rents that are "affordable". To close that gap, the Report suggested funding support from Federal and Provincial Governments and financial incentives from the Region and Area Municipalities. The Task Force concluded that new affordable rental housing will not be achieved in the Region without Area Municipal participation. The Task Force Report was referred to the Area Municipalities for comments. The Task Force recommendations were reviewed in Pickering Planning & Development Report Number PD 07-02 and considered by Pickering City Council which passed Resolution #43/02, Item #3 (see Attachment #3) in March 2002. The Resolution supported the concept of Area Municipalities as partners to assist in the financing of affordable rental housing. The Resolution further recommended establishment of an Affordable Rental Housing Working Group with Regional and Area Municipal representation to refine, clarify, and identify specific implementation details, for presentation back to Area Municipal Councils to: Appendix I to Report lOT 01-03 Subject: City Staff Comments on Region of Durham Community Rental Housing Program Page 2 . Investigate measures to off-set area municipal costs; . Ensure a fair sharing of the tax burden across the Region; . Ensure fair distribution of the resultant rental units throughout the Region, up to a maximum of 100 units per year; . Ensure the subsidies will result in reduced rents, the rents will not increase beyond affordable rents and that the subsidized units will remain as rental units, among other matters. Resolution #43/02, Item #3, also urged a key role for both the Provincial and Federal Governments in funding affordable housing and was forwarded to the Region, each of Durham's Area Municipalities, the Provincial and Federal governments. 1.2 Following the findings of the Working Group on Affordable Rental Housing and evaluation of the newly-released Community Rental Housing Program, the Region of Durham is now requesting Area Municipalities to respond regarding their willingness to participate in the Community Rental Housing Program. 1.2.1 Affordable Rental Housinq Workinq Group In response to area municipal recommendations, the Region established a municipal Working Group comprising Area Municipal and Regional staff to assess the financial implications of an affordable housing program in Durham. The Working Group was formed in May 2002, and included representatives from the City's Planning & Development and Corporate Services Departments. C.N. Watson and Associates and SHS consultants Inc. were engaged by the Region to study the fiscal impact of providing a grant-in-lieu of development charges and taxing prospective multi-residential projects at the lower single residential property tax rate. An analysis of the potential costs to the Region and Area Municipalities in providing such incentives was provided including the impact on achieving affordable rents based on certain assumptions regarding unit mix and geographic distribution of rental units. The Working Group met through the summer of 2002, then suspended meeting until the announcement of the Community Rental Housing Program late in 2002 by the Provincial government. Upon resuming meeting in early 2003, the Working Group was able to determine the incentives needed to facilitate implementation of the Community Rental Housing Program and examine the impact of identified incentives on Area Municipalities and the Region of Durham. Appendix I to Report lOT 01-03 Subject: City Staff Comments on Region of Durham Community Rental Housing Program Page 3 1.2.2 Community Rental Housinq Proqram Regional Report 2003-J-12 (see Attachment #2) provides information on the Community Rental Housing Program, identifies related concerns raised by the Working Group and provides the findings on the cost of an affordable housing program. The details of the Community Rental Housing Program are highlighted on page 4 of Regional Report 2003-J-12. Under the terms of the Federal/Provincial agreement, the Community Rental Housing Program is administered by the Provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Program implementation is the responsibility of municipal service managers such as the Region of Durham. The Province has established the mandatory ground rules for accessing the federal government's capital grant funding of up to $25,000 per affordable rental unit, despite providing a contribution of only $2,000 per unit as an offset to the Provincial Sales Tax (PST). The remaining matching $23,000 must be provided from various Regional and Area Municipal incentives. These include a mandatory requirement that the property tax rate must be downwardly adjusted to the single residential rate, which represents a major portion of the matching municipal contributions. Other municipal incentives can include development charge grant rebates, free municipal land, reduced parkland contributions, reduced application fees and others. In order to qualify for the lower tax rate, projects must have a minimum of 7 units. The term "development charge waivers" referred to in the Regional report is intended to mean that development charges would still be collected and the Region and/or Area municipality would rebate back to the applicant funding in the form of a grant equivalent to the amount of the development charges. The City of Pickering would have to consider various options to fund subsidies of the successful bids for the Pickering-specific tender calls. Legal opinion was received that waiving or exempting development charges would create the potential for legal challenges and OMB hearings to the validity of the Development Charges By-law, as noted on page 8 of the report attached to Report 2003-J-12 entitled, "Financial Impact of Community Rental Housing Program". Appendix I to Report lOT 01-03 Subject: City Staff Comments on Region of Durham Community Rental Housing Program Page 4 2.0 Discussion: 2.1 Concerns with the Community Rental Housing Program (CHRP) A number of concerns with the details of the Community Rental Housing . Program are raised on page 4 of Regional Report 2003-J-12 and are itemized in the Report's recommendation b). Staff strongly agree with the fundamental concern that the Provincial contribution of only $2,000 per unit is wholly inadequate. The Province has revenue opportunities that are much broader than those available to municipalities. This represents one further matter that has been 'downloaded' to municipalities. Its inadequacy is accentuated when considered in light of the matching contribution of up to $25,000 per unit by the Federal Government. Since the Federal Government is making a meaningful contribution to the program, the targeting of the units to achieve the maximum CMHC average rents appears fair. However, a more equitable Provincial contribution could potentially lessen or even eliminate the need for municipalities to provide subsidies equivalent to development charges. The CRHP requirement that projects be selected by October 31, 2003, and receive building permits for proposed rental housing projects within 18 months are unachievable timelines, in the opinion of City and Regional staff. Following receipt of Area Municipal comments on Regional Report 2003-J-12, the Region must adopt a Municipal Housing Facilities By-law, complete tender documents for consideration by each participating area municipality, finalize the tender documents and then administer the tender process to select the winning bidders in each Area Municipality. Then the selected proponents will have to obtain all planning approvals and building permits within 18 months, which assumes Area and Regional Municipal planning approval. Such timelines would only be feasible if Area and Regional Councils support the proposal on planning grounds and no appeals occur to require time-consuming appeals to the OMB. Finally, the requirement for a "tender" process, as opposed to a "request for proposal" process, limits opportunities to assess proposals according to "value for public money" and could also prejudice a rezoning application by prior "qualification" of project funding. Appendix I to Report IDT 01-03 Subject: City Staff Comments on Region of Durham Community Rental Housing Program Page 5 Following participation in the Working Group, staff agree with the concerns identified in Regional Report 2003-J-12 and recommend that City Council endorse them. Such significant shortcomings could severely impede the success of the proposed Regional Community Rental Housing Program in delivering affordable rental housing in the Region and the City. 2.2 Six Program Parameters requiring Area Municipal Feedback Regional Report 2003-J-12 requested specific response from the Area Municipalities to six proposed parameters of the Regional Community Rental Housing Program, as follows: 2.2.1 The proposed 20 Year Proqram Lenqth is supported The CRHP requires that rents be set at minimum market levels for a minimum of 15 years, plus a phase-out period for sitting tenants of a further 5 years. Regional staff have suggested that the period be extended to 20 years, plus the five-year phase-out period in order to provide a longer period of affordable rents to better justify the municipal subsidies. Such an extension is also consistent with the suggestion in Pickering City Council Resolution #43/02, Item #3 that units with subsidies remain as rental units. City staff agree with the rationale for the 20 year program length. 2.2.2 Proportional Unit Allocations to each Area Municipality are supported Regional Report 2003-J-12 recommends the distribution of the units under the CRHP on a 'fair share' basis among Area Municipalities within the Region calculated as the same proportion of units as the population of each respective Area Municipality within the Region. With 17% of the Region's population (based on the 2001 Census), the City of Pickering would be allocated 35 affordable rental units by the Regional Community Rental Housing Program out of a Region-wide total of 215 units. This is the same allocation as for Whitby, and less than Oshawa's allocation of 55 units. Allocations for Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge were rounded up to 10 units to make projects eligible for the lower single residential property tax rate. It is noted that Pickering taxpayers contribute approximately 20% of Regional property taxes. Appendix I to Report IDT 01-03 Subject: City Staff Comments on Region of Durham Community Rental Housing Program Page 6 A fair share distribution of units across the Region shares both the benefits of providing needed housing affordable to residents of each Area Municipality locally, and avoids unfair burdens to the taxpayers of any particular Area Municipally of the required subsidies. City staff agree with the proposed fair share unit allocation. 2.2.3 Proposed Tarqet Rents are supported Under the Community Rental Housing Program, rents cannot exceed CMHC average market rents for the community. The objective of the CRHP is to provide a mix of subsidies to reduce the cost of developing rental units to a level that achieves cost recovery at rents that are "affordable"; i.e., not to exceed average rents for the community. CMHC average rents are provided for each type of unit and reported for each Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). Pickering, Ajax and Uxbridge are normally included in the data for the Toronto CMA, which has higher average rental rates. However, Regional staff obtained specific figures from CMHC for the three Durham municipalities that accurately represent local rental rates. For Pickering, the resultant rental rates are as follows: Apartments Townhouses Bachelor 1 Bedroom 2 Bedroom 3 Bedroom $ 579 $ 741 $ 922 $1,054 $ 932 $1,210 As the program requires that tenants not pay more than 30% of their gross household incomes for rent (excluding utilities), maximum annual household incomes for tenant eligibility in Pickering would range from $23,136 for bachelor apartments to $48,352 for a 3 bedroom townhouse. These income levels are consistent with the maximum income levels suggested in the Task Force report. Although increasing the target rents to Toronto CMA levels would reduce the required municipal subsidy to bridge the gap between market costs and target rents, it would also decrease the level of 'affordability', making the units less affordable to households at the lower income levels. City staff agree with the proposed target rents and how they were derived. Appendix I to Report IDT 01-03 Subject: City Staff Comments on Region of Durham Community Rental Housing Program Page 7 2.2.4 The Development of Tenders Specific To Each Municipality is supported The Community Rental Housing Program requires that funding for units be allocated to proponents by a "two-envelope" Regional tender process. Representatives of the development industry, the community and charitable organizations can be part of the selection process. Envelope One is a pass-fail process on Provincial and Regional program criteria. Envelope Two contains the proponent's competitive bid for funding with the successful tender awarded to the proposal that utilizes the least amount of Federal funding. A problem with the lowest bidder principle is that it does not allow for negotiations to obtain the best "value for public money". A competitive tender process works best when a specific project is the subject of bids. Each proponents for project funding under the CRHP, however, will be tendering for a different project with a different unit mix on a different parcel of land which will be at a different stage of planning approval. The process also presupposes that zoning and site plan approval will be granted at acceptable cost to the developer within the time-frame of the program. The Working Group has proposed, and City staff agree that individual area municipal tenders should be developed by the Region with consultation with each respective Area Municipality. In this way, each Area Municipality could tailor the program to accommodate its particular needs. Each Area Municipality can identify which form of subsidy it may be prepared to provide which would be equivalent to a grant-in-lieu of development charges. If Pickering were to participate in the CRHP, the tender for Pickering should specify that the unit mix minimize the level of Area Municipal subsidy and also specify that subsidies be limited to those required to meet target rents. Staff also consider that the Region may wish to issue multiple tenders within each Area Municipally. Options could include one tender for non-profit housing providers and one for private developers or different tenders for different parts of an area municipality. Regional staff have indicated that once Area Municipal responses to Regional Report 2003-J-12 are received, a Municipal Housing Facilities By-law will be proposed for adoption by Regional Council. Appendix I to Report IDT 01-03 Subject: City Staff Comments on Region of Durham Community Rental Housing Program Page 8 Following by-law adoption, Regional staff intend to prepare a 'template' of a tender document for comment by each Area Municipality, after which individual tenders for use in each particular Area Municipality will be forwarded for consideration by the respective Area Municipal Councils, probably late in 2003. If Pickering was able to participate in the Regional CRHP, Pickering Council could choose which specific subsidies it wished to contribute to the Regional Community Rental Housing Program, at the time it considered a Pickering-specific tender document. As the generator of a significant portion of the program subsidy, the City of Pickering should be represented on the tender selection committee to ensure that local interests were respected, if Pickering was able to participate in the program. City staff agree with the concept of development of tenders specific to each Area Municipality. If Pickering could participate in the Regional CRHP, staff would recommend that City Council identify the specific subsidies it was prepared to support, at the time the Pickering tender documents are submitted for the consideration of Pickering City Council. 2.2.5 The Mandatory Proportional Sharinq of Incentives by the Area Municipality to a minimum of the Reqional Contribution is supported Under the CRHP, municipal contributions eligible for the matching Federal grants may include: 1. 'foregone' tax revenue resulting from taxation at the single rather than multi-residential property rate; 2. full or partial waiver of development charges; 3. grants or loans, which could be calculated as "in lieu of' development charge waivers, parkland contributions, planning or building permit application fees, etc.; 4. surplus municipal land at below-market value; or, 5. fully exempting properties from local and/or regional property taxes. Appendix I to Report IDT 01-03 Subject: City Staff Comments on Region of Durham Community Rental Housing Program Page 9 Consultants for the Working Group concluded that most types of low-rise walk-up apartments and townhouses units could be made affordable if both the Region and Area Municipalities tax these multi-residential developments at single residential rates and provide a grant equivalent to the full development charges (referred to as a grant-in-lieu of DC exemption). As a modeling exercise, the consultants' calculation indicated that the grants-in-lieu of DC's result in rents below the targeted average rents. The modeling exercise assumed 2002 Regional and area municipal DC rates for the different unit sizes. The proportion indicated in the modeling exercise resulted in a ratio of DC waiver rebates of 64% Regional/36% Local, in Pickering. As indicated in Table 2 of C.N Watson's "Fiscal Impact To Durham Region and Area Municipalities of the Affordable Housing Program Community Rental Housing", the Regional DC's are uniform across the Region for each type of unit, whereas, Area Municipal DC's vary significantly across the 8 Area Municipalities. Since DC's are significantly higher for some municipalities (Pickering, Clarington) than for other municipalities, linking the proportionate mandatory contribution of the Area Municipal subsidy to each area municipality's rate of DC's would appear to "disproportionately" penalize the municipalities with higher DC's. A more equitable sharing of direct costs of participating in the Regional CRHP would be to base these minimal "mandatory proportional" calculations on an average of area municipal development charges for each unit type. Further, the level of grant-in-lieu of DC waiver should be limited to the proportion necessary to achieve the targeted CMHC rent and not be increased to achieve lower rents. The principle being promoted by the Region is to have both levels of municipality at the table actively participating in the delivery of affordable rental housing. Should the Region have to provide a full DC grant rebate, area municipalities should also provide a subsidy equal to the full value of the average DC value for that type of unit within Durham Region. Alternately, should the Region provide a grant equal to 50% of its DC for a particular unit type, the Area Municipality should provide a grant equal to 50% of the average DC for that type of unit. This avoids the Regional First-In solution wherein the Region provides a grant equal to all of its DC charges and the area municipality only provides the remaining amount necessary to achieve the targeted rent for a particular. unit type. Appendix I to Report IDT 01-03 Subject: City Staff Comments on Region of Durham Community Rental Housing Program Page 1 0 The Region's recommendation for mandatory proportional sharing of subsidies also indicates that other types of contributions such as municipal lands or other charges could be used by an 'area municipality to make up its "mandatory proportional" contribution. As noted earlier, this could also include foregoing parkland contribution, planning or building permit fees. Pickering City Council could decide which specific contribution to offer at the time the Pickering-specific tender documents were considered, if the City was in a position to participate. Regional Report 2003-J-12 indicates that if a municipality declines to participate in the program, units can be reallocated to other area municipalities interested in supporting additional units. Pickering staff agree that the 'mandatory proportional' principle would ensure Regional and Area Municipalities share the responsibility of the CRHP, provided average development charges for each unit type were used in the calculations. 2.2.6 Flexibility in the Identification of the Nature, Location and Type of Rental Housinq Development Required To Meet Local Needs is supported Regional Report 2003-J-12 requested Area Municipalities to comment on identification of the nature, location and type of rental housing development required to meet local needs. The City of Pickering Official Plan provides that 25% of new housing should be affordable to households of low or moderate income on a City-wide basis. The policy does not specify the locations or specific types of housing that should be provided. Given that Pickering has been allocated 35 units over a two-year period, establishment of precise targets for specific areas of the City would limit the flexibility of possible proponents for the CRHP. Also, the number of units allocated to Pickering could not result in undue concentrations of affordable housing in any particular neighbourhood. Staff consider that proponents should have flexibility in identifying the exact nature, location and type of rental housing proposed under the CRHP program, if the City was participating in the program. Appendix I to Report lOT 01-03 Subject: City Staff Comments on Region of Durham Community Rental Housing Program Page 11 2.2.7 A Further Concern Respectinq Income Testinq For Tenants The CRHP provides that households with incomes below a maximum income limit will be eligible to rent the units. Regional staff have indicated that tenants will be required to provide proof that their income is not above certain thresholds when they initially rent units under the CRHP. City staff is concerned that the program does not provide for regular income testing throughout the tenancies during the 20 year term of the program. Since over time, incomes of tenants could rise substantially, the concern is that continued benefits of the municipal subsidies should be directed to tenants who continue to be 'needy'. Staff consider that the Region should require regular income testing throughout the period of the Durham Region's Community Rental Housing Program, if possible. 2.3 Financial Impacts of Participation in the Community Rental Housing Program Participation in the Community Rental Housing Program will have financial impacts on both the Region of Durham and the Area Municipalities, more so at the Regional level. Municipal financial impacts will be in the form of 'foregone' tax revenues by taxing of such units at the lower residential tax rate for a period of 20 years and in the form of subsidies up to an amount equal to development charges. According to financial analyses provided by the consultants to the Working Group, both incentives will be required to deliver 'affordable' housing in Durham at average CMHC rental rates. In Pickering, due to higher assessments than most other Area Municipalities in Durham Region, the 'foregone' taxes have a higher value, resulting in a requirement for lower direct subsidies than in most other Area Municipalities. 2.3.1 Subsidies to make the rental units 'affordable' In order to bridge the gap between full cost recovery rents and the targeted average rents, subsidies are required. The financial modeling prepared by the consultants assumed for purposes of calculating the full cost recovery rents, that the units would be produced by the private sector with private sector efficiencies and a typical private sector profit of 10%. Rental rates for full cost recovery, a first level of subsidy and a full subsidy package are presented on Table 2 below, along with the CMHC market rents for each type of unit. Appendix I to Report IDT 01-03 Subject: City Staff Comments on Region of Durham Community Rental Housing Program Page 12 The first level of subsidies presented on Table 2 below demonstrates the reduction on rents that would result from the Federal capital grant to match value of the change in the tax assessment class from multi-residential to single residential class, plus the Provincial subsidy of $2,000 (the PST off-set). The full subsidy shown in Table 2 demonstrates the further reduction in rents achieved when the addition of grants equal to both full Regional and Area Municipal development charges is added to the first level of subsidies plus the matching Federal capital funding. The total Pickering development charges for the mix of units assumed by the Region's consultants would cost Pickering a total of $188,763 ($5,393 per unit) with total Regional development charges of $292,248 ($8,350 per unit). Regional Report 2003-J-12 proposes a level of Regional subsidy, if required, up to the level of Regional development charges, as permitted by provisions of the new Municipal Act once the Region adopts a Municipal Housing Facilities By-law. However, City staff have determined that a requirement for subsidies of only approximately only half the value of City of Pickering and Regional development charges would be needed to qualify for the maximum amount of the Federal matching grants that are available under the CRHP. This would result in total subsidy requirements for the Pickering allocation of 35 units of $92,120 ($2,632 per unit) for Pickering and $144,130 ($4,118 per unit) for the Region of Durham. This lower level of direct subsidy appears to permit achievement of target affordable rents for most unit types. Application of the full subsidy package shown in Table 2 more than meets the target rents for 3 - Bed townhouses, and all sizes of apartment units. Accordingly, required Regional and Area Municipal direct subsidies for these types of units will be lower. Appendix I to Report IDT 01-03 Subject: City Staff Comments on Region of Durham Community Rental Housing Program Page 13 Table 2: Subsidies Required In Pickering To Achieve The Target Rents of The Regional CRHP Townhouse Rents Walk Up Apartment Rents 2 - Bed 3 - Bed 1 - Bed 2- Bed 3 - Bed Full Cost $1,445 $1,545 $1 ,138 $1 ,288 $1 ,388 (No subsidy) First Level $1,110 $1 ,210 $ 880 $1,030 $1 ,130 Subsidy Full Subsidy $ 965 $1,065 $ 735 $ 885 $ 985 CMHC Target $ 932 $1,210 $ 741 $ 922 $1,054 Rents 2.3.2 Financial Implications of Pickerinq Participation The consultants to the Working Group provided supplementary reports to Regional Report 2003-J-12 entitled "Financial Impact of the Community Rental Housing Program", April, 2003 and "Fiscal Impact to Durham Region and Area Municipalities of the Affordable Housing Program - Community Rental Housing", March 25, 2003. Since the supplementary reports provide a detailed analysis of the financial implications of participating in the Community Rental Housing Program, City staff have not provided a detailed analysis of these reports. Council is encouraged to peruse the reports for a clearer understanding of the financial impacts. The consultants provided a financial model of a hypothetical situation that included certain assumptions about the types of units that may be developed in order to test whether target rents could be met by the combination of the Provincial PST grant, tax class change to single residential, and a grant equal to the development charges for the selected units at both the Regional and Area Municipal levels. The assumption for the mix of walk-up apartment and townhouse units is that they will be in the same proportion as the current mix of units within Pickering. Appendix I to Report IDT 01-03 Subject: City Staff Comments on Region of Durham Community Rental Housing Program Page 14 The development model assumed by the consultants is for the 35 units allocated to the City of Pickering, comprising 26 townhouse units and 9 apartment units. It is possible that the actual mix of units and cost components of approved rental housing developments that program proponents may submit will result in lower subsidies than the model assumptions, which would result in lower grant requirements on both the Region and the City of Pickering. In the case of development charges, it is intended that the Region will collect development charges and then rebate back to the developer an equal value to be obtained from either the Regional Social Housing Reserve fund or from general Regional revenue. Tables 3 and 4 of the CN Watson report calculate both the one-time reduction in taxes (2002 dollars) due to the affordable housing tax class change, and 'foregone' taxes over the 20 year period of the program. For Pickering, the one-time reduction in local taxes for the 26 affordable townhouses would be $19,754 or $760 per unit, and $4,992 or $555 per unit for the 9 apartments. Table 4 provides two methods of calculating the total 'foregone taxes' under the Federal/Provincial formula. The method set out in the Federal/Provincial CRHP for purposes of allocating the matching Federal grant calculates the present value of the future foregone tax over 10 years, which amounts to $193,060 in Pickering. Regional staff, however, consider that a fairer method of calculation is to calculate the present value of the future foregone tax over the actual 20 year term of the program and assume that taxes will rise by a modest annual 1 % annually over the term of the program, which results in a calculation of foregone taxes in Pickering of $344,568. It is also of note that, following the change in tax class, the townhouse units taxed at the single residential rate would pay local taxes of $543 and walk-up apartment would pay an average of $398 annually. Finally, Table 5 of the C.N. Watson report shows the combined impact of both incentives. For Pickering's 35 unit project, the cost of the two incentives over 20 years is $15,238 per unit compared to the Region's figure of $23,366 per unit. However, Council should understand that although the calculation of the 'foregone' tax revenue is provided, no purpose-built rental housing is currently being developed. Since multiple unit residential condominiums are assessed at the single residential tax rate, unless federal taxation provisions for rental housing development are changed or the current costs to develop rental housing otherwise change dramatically, it is not likely that any buildings which would fall within the multi-residential tax class will be built in Pickering or any other GT A municipality in the foreseeable future. Appendix I to Report lOT 01-03 Subject: City Staff Comments on Region of Durham Community Rental Housing Program Page 15 Accordingly, calculation of the 'foregone' tax revenue, although used as a key calculation to obtain the matching Federal capital contribution under the CRHP, does not represent tax revenue that the City of Pickering could realistically expect to receive in the absence of development for market rental housing on suitable sites. ,', " The Regional Municipality , of Durham Cierk's " Department, BOX 623 605 ROSSLAND ROAD E. WHITBY ON L 1 N 6A3 CANADA (905) 668-7711 1-800-372-1102 Fax: (905) 668-~963 E-mail: clerks@region:durham.on.ca www.region.durham.on.ca ' Pat M. Madill, A.M.C.T., CMM I Regional Clerk, ' , ' ",,",i' , , , "SERVICE' , 'LLENCE ' , .fo~¡u.~:~""""".'~ "TfY'~' " ' ",)~~:", , /~~ , ,This letter has been forwarded , " I to the 8 Area Clerks. ATTACHMENT#--L--TO ' tD.T. REPORT" tJ l~o ::ç May 7,2003 - , Mr. M. de Rond Clerk ,Town qfAjax , '65 Harwood 'Avenue South Ajax, Ontario L 1S 2H9 " " 'R'ECEIVED RECEIVED, CfTY,OF PICKERING MAY 1 6 2003 ' MAY 1 if 2003 : CITY OF PICKERING , PLANNING & DEVELOrPMENT , DEPARTMEN, CLERK'S DIVISION , Community Rental HousinQ ProQram (2003-J-12) - Our FUe: 506-00 Mr., de Rond, the Health and Social Services Committee of Regional, Council considered the above matter and at a meeting held on May 7, 2003, Council adopted the following recommendations of.the ,Cqm'mittee: ' ' ' na) , 'THAT RepOrt #2003-j-12 of the Commissioners of Social Services' , and Finance be forwarded to the Area Municipal Councils for their review, and 'response by June 16, 2003 regarding their willingness to participate with the Region in the proposed Community Rental t!°using Program, specifically as it relates to the following parameters: . the proposed 20 year program length; , ,,' ,the preliminary unit allocations for each Area Municipality as ' detailed in the report; , " ' " . the Area Municipal target rents as detailed in the report; '. the development of tenders specific to each Area Municipality; . the mandatory proportional sharing of incentives' by the Area, Municipality to a minimum.of the Regional contribution '(Le. waiving , of Development ,Charges .or other types of contributions sÙch as . municipal lands); and ,..~ '" " ' .. the identification of the nature, location and type of rental housing , develoþmentrequired to meet local needs; and , b) , THAT' 'the Federal Minister of Human Resources Development, the Pre~ier of Ontario, the Minister .of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and local MPP's be ~dvised of the Region of Dl,Jrham's concern 'with: . the lack of significant financial participation by the Provincial government in the Community Rental Housing Program,s~nce the n.orHnatching of, Federal funds by the Province creates al) extraqrdinary higher financial requirement for municipalities; , '* ' '100% Post ConSUmer 12.....' , , .. (, ' . . . ' , ' " , " ' , , , " , , , , " , " " , " , " , " " , ", " ,- " " ,', , . . , , , .. , ' ATTACHMENT # i TO ¡.D.T.,RE'PORT# 01 .0'3 , , " " , , , ,-2- ' ~, the requiremel}t fo'r a, tenderinstea~ of a reque~t for proposa'i , p'robe~s for the selection' 'of affordable housing pròj~cts; : " ,. the limitations on municipal and private non-profit ,housing partièipati°r"J;' ' '" , :',' ' , . ' the'limited timetable', whichrequfres 'projects to be selected by , October'31, 2003;'and, ',: . ',,' ;' .' that,the ownership of public hous!ng is limited t025% 'and that , public dÇ>lIars should be invested in public h?usîng i~ perp$tùiíy..11 , , , , , , , , , " " ", , , ' . : EnclQsed, as'directed', is acopy of Report #2003-J-12'ofthe'Commissioners ' of Sociâl SeNices and Finance for your Councils review and response by"' " , ,June 16!'2003. , ',' :', "',,', '," ,,' ',',: , , , , 'rh' " . , ,í,//","'~'~'.""','- " ,l, ,/' :,' jf , "', , , " , , " , ' , P.M; Madill, AM.C.T;, CMM I , , Regional' Clerk, " PMM/cs' ",' c: G.S. Ç;raham, ,Clerk, To.wnship orBroc~ " ' P.L. Barrie, Clerk, MUliicip'alîty of Clarington 8., Kranc, Clerk" City of Oshawa S; Taylor, Clerk, City ot.-pickering , ' K. Coåtes, Clerk, Township, of Scugog W.E. Taylor, Clerk, Town'ship 'of Uxbridge D.G. McKày, Clerk, Town of Whitby,', , , S. Van Steen, 0 irectÇ> r, H,?ûsing Sèivice~ '" , , . , , . , , , .: , ' , , " , ,:' , , , " ".' . . , " , " , , " .. , , " .. , , .. ' " " ' , , " ,', , , - , ,,: \" "'., ATTACHMENT #2 TO I.D.T. REPORT # D/- 03 The Regional Municipality of Durham To: The Health and Social Services Committee The Finance and Administration Committee Dr. Hugh Drouin, Commissioner of Social Services R.J. Clapp, Commissioner of Finance Report No.: 2003-J-12 . Date: April 30, 2003 From: SUBJECT: Community Rental Housing Program RECOMMENDATIONS: THAT the Joint Health & Social Services and Finance & Administration Committees re'commend to Regional Council that: a) This report be forwarded to the Area Municipal Councils for their review, and response by June 16, 2003 regarding their willingness to participate with the Region in the proposed Community Rental Housing Program, specifically as it relates to the following parameters: . . . the proposed 20 year program length; . the preliminary unit allocations for each Area Municipality as detailed in the report; . the Area Municipal target rents as detailed in the report; . the development of tenders specific to each Area Municipality; . the mandatory proportional sharing of incentives by the Area Municipality to a minimum of the Regional contribution (Le. waiving of Development Charges or other types of contributions such as municipal lands); and . the identification of the nature, location and type of rental housing development required to meet local needs. b) The Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and local MPP's be advised of the Region of Durham's concern with: . . the lack of significant financial participation by the Provincial government in the Community Rental Housing Program, since the non-matching of Federal funds by the Province creates an extraordinary higher financial requirement for municipalities; . the requirement for a tender instead of a request for proposal process for the selection of affordable housing projects; . the limitations on municipal an9 private non-profit housing participation; and . the limited timetable which requires projects to be selected by October 31, 2003. . Report No.: 2003-J.12 ATTACHMENT # :¿ TO J.D.T. REPORT # /')/ -D '3. . , . I Page No.: 2 1.0 BACKGROUND The need for affordable housing in the Regional Municipality of Durham has been documented in previous reports to Council. In particular, the Regional Chair's Task Force on Sustainable/Affordable Housing identified a number of factors, including: . low rental housing vacancy rates (2.3% in October 2002); . rental rate increases outstripping inflation and real household income; . the significant percentage of residents paying more than 30% of their gross income on shelter; . the three-to-five year waiting list of some 4,900 applicants for social housing; and . the growing number of homeless people in the community. The Regional Chair's Task Force reviewed the types of barriers that prevent developers from constructing a range of affordable housing in Durham. The Task Force concluded: "It is clear that, if some approaches could be found to help offset costs, rents could be reduced and the range of households able to afford such accommodation increased. Given the high demand for rental housing in the Region, there would be an incentive for private developers to move ahead with new'rental development in the Region." While it was recognized that senior levels of government needed to take a leadership role in the funding and development of affordable rental housing development, the Task Force also identified a number of actions that could be undertaken by the Region of Durham to help stimulate the development of affordable rental housing. In addition, the Task Force recommended that Area Municipalities be encouraged to consider local incentives to maximize opportunities to reduce rental rates for new!y constructed units. As detailed in Report #2002-COW-01, Area Municipalities provided feedback on the Task Force recommendations and suggested that anyRegional program design must give careful consideration to the short and longer-term impact that specific incentives may have on the local tax base. Regional Council directed the establishment of a Working Group of Area Municipal and Regional staff to assess the financial implications of an affordable housing program in Durham. A Working Group on Affordable Rental Housing was formed in May 2002 comprised of Regional and Area Municipal staff. Subsequently, the Federal and Provincial governments announced details of the Community Rental Housing Program in December 2002 allowing the Working Group to begin the necessary financial impact analysis. This report provides information on the Community Rental Housing Program, identifies related concerns, and presents the Working Group findings on the cost of an affordable housing program in Durham. Section 2.0 provides 'the highlights of the report while the balance of the report further describes the program criteria and identifies potential financial impacts. The appendices provide the detailed analysis as reviewed by the Working Group. " .. " , ' ATTACHMENT #:2. TO tD.T. REPORT # D 1-03 Page No.: 3 Report No.: 2003-J.12 2.0 HIGHLIGHTS The Federal/Provincial Community Rental Housing Program provides: . A program to increase in the supply of rental housing at existing average rent . amounts. Thus, the Community Rental Housing Program does not purport to be a social housing program . $680 million in federal funding (announced in 2001) to stimulate new rental housing construction ' . $489 million allocated to Ontario . $5 million in federal funds for rental housing development in Durham Region (one of ,12 targeted communities with low vacancy rates in Ontario) . An average of $25,000 per unit in federal capital grants that must be matched by provincial, municipal, private and not for profit sources . A Provincial contribution of $2,000 per unit to offset the Provincial Sales Tax . The remaining $23,000 per unit must be matched by municipalities and/or other sources (Le. non profit housing corporations, charitable organizations etc.) Program Criteria: . To access funding, the Region must pass a Municipal Housing Facilities By,..law and adjust the property tax rate for the new facilities to the single residential property tax rate for any units constructed under the program ' . Rents in new units cannot exceed the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) average market rent rate for the community . . Rents must be "affordable" for a minimum of 15 years, plus a 5 yearphase-ollt period for sitting tenants (option to extend to 20 years, plus a 5 year phase-out period), . Only 25% of units can be targeted to municipal non-profits and up to 20% to private non-profit housing corporations . Program encourages private sector partnerships with non-profit housing corporations . Provincial Homelessness Rent Supplement can be designated to units constructed under the program in order to make rents affordable to low income households, with rent supplement funding guaranteed by the Province until 2023 (Durham has 50 such units) . . Funding must be allocated to projects through a Regional tender process . The incentives offered in the tender document must be available to all proponents replying to the tender . Qualified projects requiring the least amount of federal funding must be selected . Approved projects must receive their building permit within 18 months of receiving notification of funding commitment . Funding will be available from the Province to Service Managers, like the Region of Durham, to help off set program administration costs , . The Province has recently indicated that initial project selection should take place by October 31, 2003. Report No.: 2003-J-12 ATTACHMENT #:2 TO I.D.T. REPORT # () / -0 3- Page No.: 4 Staff Concerns Regarding the Community Rental Housing Program: . The Provincial government-is contributing significantly less than both the Federal Government and the amounts required of municipal governments. The token contribution by the Province of a maximum of $2,000 per unit is inadequate when compared to the Municipal Governments' contribution of an average of $23,000, particularly when the Provincial revenue opportunities are compared to the very limited Municipal revenue options. . The Working Group analysis suggests that both Regional and Area Municipal incentives will be required to reduce rents to the CMHC rent levels . Furthermore, staff analysis suggests that only modest townhouses and wood frame walk-ups are economically feasible. . CMHC target rent amounts will still be cost-prohibitive for many households on the social housing waiting list, yet the program would require substantially greater funding to generate buildings with lower rents. . Only 45% of the units can be allocated to non-profit developers, who have the expertise in effectively managing affordable rental housing and the interest to maintain it as affordable in perpetuity. . . Given the public investment in this program, the length of the program should be extended to at least 20 years, plus a five year phase out for sitting market rent tenants, to ensure maximum return for the community. . The Province has not made any additional rent supplement units available to ensure that those most in need are housed. . Timelines provided by the Province are not achievable. . The tender process limits opportunities to assess proposals according to "value for public money" and presupposes local zoning processes by "qualifying" projects for funding. Financial Implications: . Regional contributions are estimated at $1.4 million in one time costs and $3.6 million in present value terms over 20 years in foregone tax revenue as detailed in the following table: Report No.: 2003-J-12 . ATTACHMENT #.2 TO to.T. REPORT # /)/ ~o '3 Page No.: 5 Table 1 Regional Community Rental Housing Program Estimated Contributions Over 20 Years (Based on 215 Unit Model as per C.N. Watson Analysis) Federal Provincial Area Municipalities . Region Development Charges Per Unit $4,008 $6,733 Program Property Tax* Per Unit Program Rent Supplement (50 units) Per Unit Program. Other Program Contributions Per Unit Total * Net Present Value for 20 years at 6% foregone revenue) 1 Does not include potential costs of $5,393,345 for a Regional Rent Supplement Program for an additional 93 units. The above table also indicates that the largest financial contribution to this program will be made by property taxpayers, both Regional and Local, who will be contributing an estimated $8.3 million as compared to an estimated $3.2 million by the Province (including the 100% Provincial Rent Supplement Program). 3.0 COMMUNITY RENTAL HOUSING PROGRAM In the 2001 Speech from the Throne, the federàl government committed $680 million for the creation of affordable housing through its Federal Affordable Housing Program. Details of the program were outlined in previous reports to Council (see Reports # 2002- SH-15; 2002-SH-31; 2003-SH-01). On May 30, 2002, the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario signed an . agreement that will provide up to $489 million for the creation of approximately 10,500 affordable housing units in Ontario over the next five years. The Community Rental Housing Program was introduced in December 2002 as a joint Federal/Provincial program to help stimulate new rental housing construction. Durham Region has been identified as one of the twelve "high need" communities targeted for program funding. Report No.: 2003-J-12 ATTACHMENT # b? TO I.D.T. REPORT # I""J/ ~o 3 , , Page No.: 6 As noted in the Regional Chair's Task Force report, in order to recover construction costs for the development of new rental housing units, the rents charged by private or non-profit developers would be cost-prohibitive. The Community Rental Housing Program does not purport to be a social housing program. Its intent is to increase the supply of rental housing at existing average rent amounts within Durham. 3.1 Available Funding As one of twelve municipalities in Ontario with a "high need" for affordable housing, federal grants to a maximum of $5 million will be made available to help stimulate the construction of approximately 200 units of rental housing in Durham. Funding details are summarized below: . An average of $25,000 per unit in federal capital grants that must be matched by Provincial, Municipal or other sources (i.e. non-profits, charitable foundations etc.) is available. . . . Province will provide $2,000 per unit to offset the Provincial Sales Tax . The remaining $23,000 per unit must be matched by municipalities and private and . non profit developers. . . . Matching contributions can include land, property management, waiving of Municipal fees and charges, donations of cash or "in kind" services. 3.2 Program Criteria Under the terms of the Federal/Provincial agreement, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has responsibility for program design and the administration of federal funds. Municipal Service Managers, such as the Region of Durham, will be responsible for implementing the program in areas targeted for program funding. Despite the fact that the Province is contributing significantly fewer dollars to the program, it has established a number of mandatory criteria that must be met including: . To access funding, the Region must pass a Municipal Housing Facilities By-law and adjust the property tax rate for these properties to the single residential property tax rate for any units constructed under the program. . A project must consist of a minimum of three units to be eligible for funding. . Rents in new units cannot exceed the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) average market rent rate for the community. . Rents must be "affordable" for a minimum of 15 years, plus a 5-year phase-out period for sitting tenants. . Only 25% of units can be targeted to municipal non-profits and up to 20% to private non-profits. . Private sector partnerships with non-profit housing corporations are encouraged. . Provincial Homelessness Rent Supplement can be designated to units constructed under the program in order to make rent costs affordable to low income households, with rent supplement funding guaranteed by the Province until 2023. . Funding must be allocated through a Regional tender process. . The incentives offered in the tender document must be available to all proponents replying to the. tender. , . ATTACHMENT # .:< 'TO I.D.T. REPORT # ð I -0 S Report No.: 2003-J-12 Page No.: 7 . Funding must be allocated to qualified projects requiring the least amount of federal funding. . . Approved projects must receive their building permit within 18 months of receiving. notification of funding commitment in order to remain eligible for funding. . Funding will be available to the RegiOn of Durham from the Province to help off set program administration costs. . Initial project selection should take place by October 31,2003. 3.3 Potential Distribution of Units In order to ensure the availability of program dollars across the Region and that program costs are equitably shared among the municipalities, an initial "fair share" distribution of available Community 'Rental Housing Program units based on Area Municipal population was proposed by the Working Group. The minimum number of units in less populated municipalities was rounded up to 10 to allow for projects to have more than seven units. This would make projects eligible to have the property tax rate set to the single residential rate as opposed to the multi-residential rate, and thus leverage matching federal contributions. Using 2001 Census data, the proposed distribution allows for up to 10 units in smaller municipalities and between 30-55 units in the larger communities. If a municipality declines to participate in the program, units could be reallocated to other municipalities interested in supporting additional units. Municipality Population1 Housing Unit Federal Grant # % Allocation Ajax 73,753 15 30 $750,000 Brock 12,11 0 2 10 $250.000 Clarington 69,834 14 30 $750,000 Oshawa 139,051 27 55 $1,375,000 Pickering 87,139 17 35 $875,000 Scugog 20,173 4 10 $250,000 Uxbridge 17,377 3 10 $250,000 Whitby 87,413 17 35 $875,000 TOTAL 506,850 100% 215¿ $5,375,000 Table 2 Proposed Unit Distribution and Resultant Federal Grant Based on 2001 Census data. 2 Available funding announced for Durham Region for the first phase is based on a federal funding cap of $5 million. At $25,000 per unit, this means that approximately 200 units can be built. More units could be created if fewer federal funds are required by an approved project. The impact model used by the Working Group assumed a distribution of approximately 215 units across Durham Region. ATTACHMENT #:2 TO I.D.T. REPORT # 01- 0 "3 . , , \ Report No.: 2003-J-12 Page No.: 8 3.4 Rent Charges for Newly Constructed Units With the assistance of SHS Consultants Inc., the Affordable Rental Housing Working Group developed theoretical scenarios for each Area Municipality, analyzing the impact of various incentives on market rent rates for newly constructed rental housing.. It is important to note that the scenarios are hypothetical and are used solely for the purpose of ascertaining the impact of incentives on rent levels. Costs for both modest townhouse developments and wood frame walk up apartment construction were identified using three potential scenarios: . "Full cost" - showing projected rents without any financial incentives; . "Reduced tax rate" - showing the impact of the reduced property tax rate (multi- residential to single residential rates), with matching federal contributions and the $2,000 per unit PST rebate; and . . "Reduced tax rate plus Regional and Area Municipal waivers" - showing the impact of the property tax incentive plus an offsetting program rebate equal to the cost of waiving of development charges, and the matching federal contributions to a . maximum $25,000 plus the $2,000 per unit PST rebate. The impact on rents achieved through the application of Regional and Area Municipal incentives is summarized in the following table: Report No.: 2003..J-12 ATTACHMENT #:t TO I.D.T. REPORT # 0 / ~o 3 , I Page No.: 9 TABLE 3 CUMULATIVE IMPACf OF INCENTIVES ON RENT CHARGES I Pickerina I TOWNHOUSE RENfS WALK UP APARTMENT RENTS II 2.Bed I 3.8ed f.8edI2.8edI3.8ed Full Co.st $1 ,445 $1 ,545 $1,138 $1 ,288 $1,3æ Tex At Re.sidentie/ $1,110 $1 ,210 $880 $1,030 $1,130 Tax At Residential + Regionel & Municipal Weivers $965 $1 ,065 $735 $885 $985 CMHC Terqet Rent $932 $1.210 $741 $922 $1,054 I I Ajax Full Co.st $1 ,435 $1,535 $1,138 $1 ,288 $1 ,388 Tax At Residentiel $1 ,080 $1,180 $860 $1 ,010 $1,110 Tex At Residential + Regione/ & Municipel WaiVers $950 $1,050 $725 $875 $975 CMHC Tarqet Rent $932 $1,210 $735 $903 $1,037 I I Uxbridge Full Co.st $1 ,390 $1 ,490 $1,105 $1 ,255 $1 ,355 Tax At Residentiel $1 ,075 $1,175 $995 $1 ,145 $1 ,245 Tax At Residential + Regional & Municipal Waivers $935 $1 ,035 $860 $1,010 $1 ,110 CMHC Taraet Rent $932 $1,210 $759 $1,028 .$1 ,203 I I Whitby Full Cost $1 ,405 $1,505 $1,130 $1,280 $1,380 Tax At Residential $1 ,055 $1,155 $845 $995 $1,095 Tex At Residential + Regional & Municipal Waivers $925 $1 ,025 $715 $865 $965 CMHC Tarqet Rent $932 $1,210 $786 $894 $1,000 I I Oshawa Full Cost $1 ,450 $1,550 $1,160 $1,310 $1,410 Tex At Residential $1 ,055 $1 ,155 $845 $995 $1,095 Tax At Residential + Regional & Municipal Waivers $935 $1 ,035 $720 $870 $970 CMHC Tarqet Rent $843 $962 $713 $819 $925 I I CJarington Full Cost $1 ,355 $1 ,455 $1 ,095 $1 ,245 $1,345 Tax At Residential $1 ,035 $1,135 $835 $985 $1,085 Tex At Residential + Regional & Municipal Waivers $880 $980 $685 $835 $935 CMHC Terqet Rent $843 $962 $684 $812 $906 I I SCJJgog Full Cost $1 ,360 $1 ,460 $1 ,100 $1 ,250 $1 ,350 Tex At Residential $1,035 $1,135 $835 $985 $1 ,085 Tax At Resldentiel + Regionel & Municipal WaiVers $895 $995 $710 $860 $960 CMHC Tarqet Rent $843 ,$962 $684 $812 $906 I I Brock Full Cost $1 ,350 $1 ,450 $1,120 $1 ,270 $1 ,370 Tax At Residential $980 $1 ,080 $815 $965 $1 ,065 TaxAt Residential + Regional & Municipal Waiver.s $870 $970 $695 $845 $945 CMHC Tarqet Rent $843 . $962 $684 $812 $906 Note: The CMHC target rent must be achieved to access federal funding under the Community Rental Housing Program ATTACHMENT #::? TO I.D.T. REPORT # 0 I -0 :s ," . Report No.: 2003-J-12 Page No.: 10 The exercise de~onstrated that; depending on built form and unit size, affordable rents could be achieved in most municipalities through the application of both the reduction of property taxes to the residential rate and the use of a program to offset Regional and Area Municipal development charges. In some communities, the application of all available incentives may help reduce rental rates to amounts that are below the target market rent. This would make rents affordable to a greater number of lower income households. In some areas, built form may be restricted to walk up apartments in order to ensure affordable rent levels could be achieved. 3.5 Rent Supplement The rent charges achieved, even with the incentives provided (i.e. Federal $25,000; Provincial $2,000; and Municipal $23,000 per unit, are still out of reach of those households with incomes at the lowest levels, particularly those in receipt of social assistance or on fixed incomes. . The rent supplement program provides rent-geared-to-income to eligible low-income tenants in non-profit or privately owned rental buildings. A supplement is provided to landlords to bridge the gap between the market rent of a unit and the amount the tenant can afford to pay, based on 30% of the tenant's gross household income. The Province initially allocated 135 units to Durham Region under its Homelessness Rent Supplement Program in November 1999. These units are 100% Provincially funded. In 2002, the Housing Services Division was advised that 60 additional units would be allocated to Durham Region. The Province recently announced that funding for the initial five-year program will be extended until 2023. In a previous report to Council, 50 of the 60 Homelessness Rent Supplement units were held pending Council resolution on the Region's participation in the Community Rental Housing Program (Refer Report #2003-SH-02). The estimated Provincial cost (in net present value) of 50 rent supplement units to 2023 is $2.8 million. 3.6 Financial Impact Analysis The Community Rental Housing Program requires that the property tax rate be set at' the single residential property tax rate for all units constructed under this program; The Working Group also reviewed what additional Regional and Area Municipal incentives could be offered to ensure available federal grants were maximized. It was determined that if development charges were reduced or waived, additional federal grants could be leveraged. With the assistance of C.N. Watson and Associates, the Working Group reviewed short and long term funding implications of an affordable housing program for both the Regional and Area Municipalities if these two incentives were made available. (Detailed analysis is available in Attachment A). 'c-' ,"-,> - Report No.: 2003.J-12 ATTACHMENT # :ì TO I.D.T. REPORT # 0 I - () 3. Page No.: 11 Based on the assumed distribution of units as identified in the earlier Table 2, the program could require one-time rebate of Regional development charges of up to approximately $1.45 million, or an average of $6,733 per unit. The analysis also demonstrated Regional foregone property tax revenues with a present value of $3.6 million would enable the production of up to 215 units of rental housing, which would be affordable over a twenty-year period. 3.7 Program Concerns While the Community Rental Housing Program provides an opportunity to access new federal capital grants, a number of concerns with the program criteria have been identified: . The Provincial government is contributing significantly less than both the Federal Government and the amounts required of Municipal Governments. The token contribution by the Province of a maximum of $2,000 per unit is inadequate when compared to the Municipal Governments' contribution of an average of $23,000, particularly when the Provincial revenue opportunities are compared to the very -limited Municipal revenue options. . As a result, the Working Group analysis suggests that both Regional and Area Municipal incentives will be required to reduce rents to the CMHC rent levels . Furthermore, staff analysis suggests that only modest townhouses and wood frame walk-ups are economically feasible. -,- . CMHC target rent amounts will still be cost-prohibitive for many households on the - social housing waiting list yet the program would require substantially greater funding to generate buildings with lower rents. . Only 45% of the units can be allocated to non-profit developers, who have the expertise in effectively managing affordable rental housing and the interest to maintain it as affordable in perpetuity. . Given the public investment in this program, the length of program should be extended to at least 20 years, plus a five year phase out for sitting market rent tenants, to ensure maximum return for the community. . The Province has not made any additional rent supplement units available to ensure that those most in need are housed. . Timelines provided by the Province are not achievable. . The tender process limits opportunities to assess proposals according to "value for public money" and presupposes local zoning processes by "qualifying" projects for funding. The issue of providing Regional and Area Municipal incentives to amounts that exceed the financial commitment of senior levels of government is of particular concern. Organizations including AMO and FCM have repeatedly called for federal tax changes related to rental housing investment opportunities and the indexing of income assistance programs to reflect actual rental rates in Ontario. In addition, the Province has a greater base of sustainable financing than Municipalities and therefore, should be a larger contributor. - ATTACHMENT #~;;¡ TO 1.0.1. REPORT # ð/ -0 '5 . . Report No.: 2003-J-12 Page No.: 12 4.0 CONCLUSION The Regional Municipality of Durham has the opportunity to stimulate the construction of affordable rental housing but will require the financial participation of Area Municipalities in order to ensure that the rental units created achieve the average CMHC market rents as required under the Community Rental Housing Program. With Area Municipal support, Regional Council could leverage significant capital contributions from the Federal government, and to a lesser extent the Provincial government, to create approximately 200 units of permanent affordable rental housing for the next 20 years. . In order to access.up to $5 million in federal grants and an additional $400,000 in Provincial contributions, the program would require one-time Regional costs of approximately $1.45 million and foregone tax revsnues with a present value of $3.6 million over a twenty year period. Staff recommend that this report be distributed to the Area Municipalities to ascertain their interest in participating financially with the Region of Durham in the Community Rental Housing Program and to identify local program parameters. Based upon'the feedback received, Regional staff will provide a subsequent report to Council outlining next steps including any further program cost, information relative to a Municipal Housing Facilities By-law, as well as details to be contained in the Regional tender documents for each Area Municipality. Senior levels of government must continue to playa role in the provision of affordable housing. The lack of significant Provincial contributions to the Community Rental Housing Program is of particular concern and it is therefore recommended that Regional Council continue to press the Provincial Government for additional funding to increase the supply of affordable rental housing within Durham Region. Dr. Hugh Drouin Commissioner of Social Services RJ. Clapp Commissioner of Finance Recommended for presentation to Committee. Garry H. Cubitt, M.S.W. Chief Administrative Officer Attachment A: Financial Impact of the Community Rental Housing Program and Appendices A-C ATTACHMENT # ;;) TO I.O.T. REPORT # C /- 03 Financial Impact of the Community Rental Housing Program April 2003 Prepared by the staff of: Finance Department Social Services Department - Housing Services Division Planning Department With the assistance of: SHS Consultants Inc. C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd ATTACHMENT #.:2 TO I.D.T. REPORT # 1)/- () .~ Financial Impact of Community Rental Housing Program Introduction In December 2001, The Regional Chair's Task Force on Sustainable/Affordable Housing reviewed the types of barriers that prevent developers from constructing a range of affordable housing in Durham. While it was recognized that senior levels of government needed to take on a leadership role in the funding and development of affordable rental housing development, the Task Force also identified a number actions that could be undertaken by the Region of Durham to help stimulate the development of affordable rental housing. The Task Force also recommended that Area Municipalities be encouraged to consider local incentives to maximize opportunities to reduce rental rates for newly constructed units. As a result of feedback from Area Municipalities, a Working Group of Regional and Area Municipal staff was formed in May 2002 to detail and cost an affordable housing program for Durham Region. Subsequently, the Federal and Provincial governments announced a number of initiatives to help stimulate the construction of affordable housing, including the Community Rental Housing Program. This document is a supplement to Report 2003-J-12 and summarizes the findings of the Working Group, as it relates to Regional and Area Municipal participation in the Community Rental Housing Program. 1.0 Affordáble Housing Definition The Community Rental Housing Program specifies that "target rent" levels cannot be higher than the average rents published annually in Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) rental market survey. An important consideration by the Working Group was that given the costs associated with new construction, should the target rents be set too low, even with incentives provided, they would not be achievable. Low target rents also require significantly more public money to bridge the gap between the actual cost for development and the rent levels achieved with public investment. At the same time should the target rents be set too high the program could end up in competition for the same households who could afford home ownership in many parts of the Region. In Durham Region, CMHC market rent information is not available for some communities (i.e. Brock and Scugog). Further, information relative to Ajax, Pickering and Uxbridge is aggregated in Toronto CMA information. Finally, average rental charges for specific unit sizes and housing types are not readily available for all of Durham Region. Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing staff have advised that Service Managers can use other "reasonable" data sources to establish target rents in areas where CMHC market rental survey information is not readily available. By drawing on the detailed information from both 2001 and 2002 CMHC market data, the following target rent amounts have been identified below: Region of Durham - April 2003 2 ATTACHMENT # c2 TO I.D.T. REPORT # 1')/-03 Finariciallmpact of Community Rental Housing Program Table 1 Region of Durham Rental Housing Program arge en s Walk Up Apartment Townhouse , Bach. 1 Bed 2 Bed 3 Bed+ 2 Bed 3 Bed+ Ajax $579 $735 $903 $1037 $932 $1210 Pickerinq $579 $741 $922 $1054 $932 $1210 Uxbridqe $579 $759 $1028 $1203 $932 $1210 Whitby $579 $786 "$894 $1000 $932 $1210 Oshawa $579 $713 $819 $925 $843 $962 Clarinqton $552 $684 $812 $906 $843 $962 Brock $552 $684 $812 $906 $843 $962 Scugoq $552 $684 $812 $906 $843 $962 1 T t R t 1 Source. Based on CMHC Average Market Rent Survey- Oshawa CMA, Toronto CMA (October 2001, 2002) As the CMHC Market Rent Survey is published every October, these rent levels would be reviewed on an annual basis. Assuming new tenants would not be required to pay more than 30% of their gross household income for rent, excluding utilities, recommended maximum annual household incomes eligible for the program are set out below: Walk Up Apartment Townhouse Bach 1 Bed 2 Bed 3 Bed+ 2 Bed 3 Bed+ Ajax $23,136 $29,371 $36,804 $41 ,438 $37,243 $48,352 Pickering $23,136 $29,610 $36,843 $42,118 $37,243 $48,352 Uxbridge $23,136 $30,330 $41,679 $48,072 $37,243 $48,352 Whitby $23,136 $31 ,409 $35,724 $39,960 $37,243 $48,352 Oshawa $23,136 $28,491 $32,727 $36,963 $33,686 $38,441 Clarington $22,058 $27,333 $32,448 $36,204 $33,686 $38,441 Brock $22,058 $27,333 $32,448 $36,204 $33,686 $38,441 Scugog $22,058 $27,333 $32,448 $36,204 $33,686 $38,441 Table 2 Maximum Annual Household Income Limits 1 Source: Based on CMHC average market rent data in Table 1 on an annual basis, multiplied by 3.33 As Table 2 illustrates, eligible household 'income levels vary from just over $22,000 per year for bachelor units to $48,352 for a 3-bedroom townhouse unit. These income levels are in keeping with the Regional Chair's Task Force Report, which suggested Region of Durham - April 2003 3 ATTACHMENT # ~ TO LO.T. REPORT # . 0/-61 ~ Financial Impact of Community Rental Housing Program household income levels of up to $50,000 per year should be accommodated in units created under an affordable rental housing program. 2.0 Potential Distribution of Units in Durham Region In order to ensure the availability of program dollars across the Region and that program costs are equitably .shared among the m Jnicipalities, an initial "fair share" distribution of available Community Rental Housing Program units based on Area Municipal population is proposed by the Working Group. Using 2001 Census data, the proposed distribution allows for up to 10 units in smaller municipalities and between 30- 55 units in the larger communities. Where a municipality declines their participation in the program, the units could be reallocated to other municipalities interested in supporting additional units. The minimum number of units in less populated municipalities was rounded up to 10 to allow projects to have more than seven units. This would allow the projects to be eligible to have the property tax rate set to the single residential rate, as opposed to the multi-residential rate, and thus leverage matching federal contributions. For the theoretical purpose of assessing potential program costs to the Region and Area Municipalities, the following distribution of project funding was utilized: Municipality Population 1 Housing Unit Federal Grant # % Allocation Ajax 73,753 15 30 $750,000 Brock 12,110 2 10 $250.000 Clarinaton 69,834 14 30 $750,000 Oshawa 139,051 27 55 $1,375,000 Pickerina 87,139 17 35 $875,000 Scuaoa 20,173 4 10 $250,000 Uxbridae 17,377 3 10 $250,000 Whitby 87,413 17 35 $875,000 TOTAL 506,850 100% 215:¿ $5,375,000 Table 3 Unit Distribution And Resultant Federal Grant Based on 2001 Census data. 2 Available funding announced for Durham Region for the first phase is based on a federal funding cap of $5 million. At $25,000 per unit, this means that approximately 200 units can be built. More units could be created if fewer federal funds are required by an approved project. This model assumes a distribution of approximately 215 units across Durham Region. 3.0 Potential Impact of Incentives on Rent With the assistance of SHS Consultants Inc., the Affordable Rental Housing Working Group developed theoretical scenarios for each Area Municipality, analyzing the impact of various incentives on market rent rates for newly constructed rental housing. It is important to note that the scenarios are hypothetical and are used solely for the purpose of ascertaining the impact of incentives on rent levels. As discussed in the Regional Chair's Task Force report, high-rise construction costs prohibit the development of rental housing that would be affordable to households with Region of Durham - April 2003 4 ATTACHMENT # :¿ TO I.D.T. REPORT # 0 /- C> ~ Financial Impact of Community Rental Housing Program incomes under $50,000 per year. For this reason, the Working Group focused on the construction of modest townhouses and wood frame walk up apartments. For each of these dwelling types, three scenarios were prepared in each of the eight municipalities: . "Full cost" - showing projected rents without any financial incentives; . "Reduced tax rate" - showing the impact of the reduced property tax rate (multi- residential to single residential rates), with matching federal contributions and the $2,000 per unit PST rebate; and . . "Reduced tax rate plus Regional and Area Municipal waivers" - showing the impact of the property tax incentive plus an offsetting program rebate equal to the cost of waiving of development charges; and the matching federal contributions to a maximum $25,000 plus the $2,000 per unit PST rebate. These notional scenarios were used to develop an understanding of the impact various incentives can have on rent charges. Some of the underlying assumptions for the analysis included: . A private developer will have a 10% cash upfront outlay and is purchasing the land at market rates; . The private developer will achieve a 10% return on the cash investment; . Mortgage interest rates are assumed at 6%; . Annual property tax savings equal present value of the difference in rates (multi- residential to single residential) over 10 years, discounted at 6% (as allowed by the Province); and . Federal grants available for matching purposes would not exceed $25,000 per unit. These assumptions build on the factors assumed in an earlier analysis by the Regional Chair's Task Force, which included members of the development and mortgage financing industries. The consultants also reviewed these assumptions with other industry experts. However, it must be recognized that any changes to the assumptions including built form, number of units created, and financing information will have an impact on the results achieved. In some cases, the full range of incentives applied in the scenarios would not be required, as would be the case for a proponent who did not have to purchase land or had charitable funds to contribute towards matching federal dollars. In addition, since the matching federal contributions are based on an average $25,000 per unit, there may be opportunities for some projects to access federal grants in excess of $25,000 - provided fewer federal matching dollars were required for other approved projects. The Community Housing Program does not specify the same cash upfront criteria for non-profit groups as it does for private developers. In addition, non-profit groups are not Region of Durham - April 2003 5 ATTACHMENT # t2 TO LO.T. REPORT # D /- 03 Financial Impact of Community Rental Housing Program seeking a 10% cash return on investment. However, these "savings" could be offset by higher professional fees and other construction savings not realized by non-profit groups, which are generally not able to negotiate more favourable rates for these services. As indicated earlier in this report, affordable rents were assumed to equal the CMHC average market rent by unit type for the Area Municipality. This creates an opportunity to achieve a range of rents across Durham Region. Detailed scenarios for each of the Area Municipalities and the impact of incentives on resulting rent charges are provided in Appendix A. . The theoretical scenarios were based on specific assumptions regarding land costs, mortgage interest and debt financing rates, as well as size and density of projects, which ultimately influenced the full cost amounts used for this analysis. The exercise demonstrates that, depending on built form and unit size, affordable rents could be achieved in most municipalities through the application of both the reduction of property taxes to the residential rate and the use of a program to mitigate Regional and Area Municipal development charges. In some communities, the application of all available incentives may help reduce rental rates to amounts that are below the target market rent. This would make rents affordable to a greater number of lower income households. In some areas, built form may be restricted to walk up apartments in order to ensure affordable rent levels are achieved. Section 05 of the Regional Chair's Task Force Report makes a number of observations regarding further opportunities to significantly impact on the rent levels achieved by the Region and Area Municipalities through the application of various incentives. Specifically, the direction of development into serviced areas in need of intensification or redevelopment could ultimately reduce development costs assumed in the scenarios and enhance opportunities to achieve target rents without fully utilizing Regional and Area Municipal incentives. 4.0 Financial Impact Analysis With the assistance of C.N. Watson and Associates, the Working Group reviewed short and long term funding implications of an affordable housing program for both the Regional and Area Municipalities. Appendix B describes the process undertaken in the analysis and details the findings for the Region and Area Municipalities. The analysis provides a per unit estimate of the fiscal impact on the Region of Durham and Area Municipalities for providing a program to rebate development charges - and. taxing multi-residential developments constructed under the program at the single residential property tax rate. This exercise was undertaken to develop an understanding of the impact those financial incentives, including Federal and Provincial grants, could have on rents for newly constructed units. However, the implied costs for Region of Durham - April 2003 6 ATTACHMENT # ¿;¡ TO tD.T. REPORT # 0 I " 0 3 Financial Impact of Community Rental Housing Program this analysis rely on the assumptions detailed below. It is important to note that unit type, built form, and actual construction costs will result in different financial outcomes. For the purposes of this analysis, a number of assumptions have been made for the development of 215 units of various sizes and built forms: . Development will be distributed between townhouse development and walk up apartments in ratios reflective of the existing rental housing stock in each of the Area Municipalities; . Developments will be fully serviced; . All developments will have more than seven units, thus qualifying as multi- residential projects for property taxes; . A program to rebate development charges will be provided at the full amount by both the Area Municipality and the Region; . Property tax reductions will remain in place for 20 years; . Property tax rates are assumed to increase at an annual rate of one per cent (1 %)1; and . All units will be constructed by 2005. 4.1 Program to Rebate Development Charges As discussed earlier in this report, recent changes to Provincial legislation allow for the waiving of development fees and charges in order to stimulate the construction of rental housing as a municipal capital facility. Development charges are collected from developers and are essentially held by the Region to finance future residential growth and related projects for water, sewer, roads and other specific purposes. The Region's Legal Department has reviewed this option and has expressed. concern that even a limited waiver of Regional development charges may be cause for potentially litigious concerns. Undertaking such an initiative would require careful definition since a waiver of development charges could expose the municipality to future challenges for an exemption in development charge by-laws and be subject to review by the Ontario Municipal Board. By creating a defined exemption in the Development Charges By-law, it is believed that the Region would lose the ability to cof:]trol when and if that exemption is applied. If a party unsuccessfully tried to exploit such an exemption, then there would be potential for the Region to face complaints regarding the application of its development charges by-law and de novo proceedings before the Ontario Municipal Board to determine the matter. . 1 The conservative assumption of a 1 % tax increase over a twenty year period is based on the premise that it is not possible to predict the rate at which the multi-residential tax may increase relative to the single residential tax rate. The consultant and Regional Finance staff agreed that a modest increase 1 % is appropriate for the purposes of this exercise. . Region of Durham - April 2003 7 ATTACHMENT # ¡2 TO I.O.T. REPORT # 01- (J ~ Financial Impact of Community Rental Housing Program Therefore, rather than waiving development charges, it is recommended that a Regional Rebate Program be developed. This would allow for the collection of all applicable development charges with a one-time rebate being made available to eligible program participants. In this way, development charges would continue to provide the revenues required to fund residential growth. Funding for the rebate program could be made available from the Social Housing Reserve Fund. It is important to note that actual program costs cannot be determined until the location, number of units, unit sizes, assessment value, built form and amount of incentive requested are known. Many Service Managers like the City of Toronto, City of Ottawa and the Regional Municipalities of Waterloo, Peel and York are funding affordable housing incentives through the use of Social Housing Reserves. Based on the assumed distribution of units as identified in Table 4, the program could require one-tim'e Regional rebates of up to approximately $1.45 million, or an average of $6,733 per unit. Further details on development charges for each of the Area Municipalities and the Region of Durham are attached in Appendix C. . 4.2 Property Tax at Residential Rates The Community Rental Housing Program stipulates that property taxes must be set at or below the single residential rate in order for Service Managers to be eligible for program funding. Program guidelines specify that federal matching funds for foregone tax revenue will be based on the net present value (NPV) of 10 years of foregone tax revenue (using a 6% discount rate). However, the Province has stipulated that in order to be eligible for any funds, projects must be affordable for a minimum of 15 years, followed by a five-year phase-in of market rents. Staff recommend a 20-year program with a five-year phase out in order to maximize the benefits of publicfunding for the program. . The Working Group estimated the financial impact of the lower property tax rate using two methods: . Using the Provincial formula, detailed in the Community Rental Housing Program guidelines, which calculates the allowable municipal contribution in property tax to be the present value of 10 years of foregone tax revenue based on a constant value of foregone revenue; and . Assessing the impact over 20 years with a constant value of the units and an annual property tax rate increase of 1 % to determine the financial impact in present value terms for the Region and Area Municipalities. The conservative assumption of a 1 % tax increase over a twenty-year period is based on the premise that it is not possible to predict the rate at which the multi-residential tax may increase relative to the single residential tax rate. The consultant and Regional Finance staff agreed that a modest increase 1 % is appropriate for the purposes of this exercise. Region of Durham - April 2003 8 ATTACHMENT #.:< TO I.D.T. REPORT # D /-ð3 Financial Impact of Community Rental Housing Program The former method allows for the estimation of Area Municipal funds eligible for matching federal contributions at rates ranging from $3,431 per unit (in Uxbridge) to $8,307 per unit (in Oshawa), while the Region would forego an average property tax revenue of $9,319 per unit (based on the assumed current value assessment amount). The latter method identifies potential costs for Regional and Area Municipalities over the proposed length of the program. Based on this method, over 20 years Area Municipalities can expect to forego taxes ranging from $6,123 per unit (in Uxbridge) to $14,826 per unit (in Oshawa). The Region can expect to forego property tax revenue of $16,632 in present value terms on average per unit. Table 4 Foregone Tax Revenue Municipality Annual Reduction in Taxes MU:C~AL REGIONAL AREA MUNICIPAL Ajax 30 23,358 36,327 182,235 Brock 10 8,436 10,678 65,813 Clarington 30 19,234 32,932 150,058 Oshawa 55 58,560 65,090 456,868 Pickering 35 24,746 48,160 193,060 Scugog 10 5,391 10,993 42,060 xbridge 10 4,398 10,986 34,309 'by 35 26,289 41,650 205,098 Tot.. 215 110,412 256,815 1,329,499 10 Year Present Value@6% 20- Y ear Present Value @ 6% TOTAL PER AREA Po, Unit REGIONAL Per Unit TOTAL UNiT MUNICIPAL 6,075 283,413 9,447 465,649 15,522 325,248 6,581 83,304 8,330 149,116 14,912 117,460 5,002 256,924 8,564 406,981 13,566 267,818 8,307 507,812 9,233 964,680 17,540 815,403 5,516 375,730 10,735 568,790 16,251 344,566 4,206 85,761 8,576 127,821 12,782 75,067 3,431 85,706 8,571 120,015 12,002 61,234 5,860 324,942 9,264 530,038 15,144 366,048 6,184 2,003,591 9,319 3,333,090 16,503 2312,846 10,842 505,826 11,746 146,677 8,927 458,549 14,826 906,325 9,845 670,589 7,507 153,063 ,6,123 152,965 10,459 579,946 11 036 3,575,941 16,861 831,074 14,868 266,138 15,285 726,367 16,479 1,721,729 19,160 1,015,157 15,306 228,130 15,297 214,199 16,570 945,993 16,632 5,948,186 TOTAL TOTAL PER UNIT 27,702 26,614 24,212 31,304 29,004 22,813 21,420 27,028 21,669 Per Unit REGIONAL Per Unit The analysis demonstrates Regional foregone property tax revenues with a present value of $3,575,941 would enable the production of up to 215 units of rental housing, which would be affordable over a twenty-year period. It is important to note that the reduction of property tax to the single residential rate does not require any cash contribution by the Region or affected Area Municipality. In effect, these foregone municipal dollars leverage federal capital funds of up to $25,000 per unit. Detailed information on the cost impacts on each of the Area Municipalities is provided in Appendix B. 5.0 Rent Supplement Development charge rebates and reduction in property taxes can help stimulate rental housing construction where rent charges would be in the range of current average market rents in Durham Region. However, such rent levels are still out of reach of those households with incomes at the lowest levels, particularly those in receipt of social assistance or on fixed incomes. A rent supplement program provides rent-geared-to-income to eligible low-income tenants in non-profit or privately owned rental buildings. A supplement is provided to landlords to bridge the gap between the market rent of a unit, and the amount the tenant can afford to pay, based on 30% of the tenant's gross household income. Region of Durham - April 2003 9 ATTACHMENT #:; TO tD,T. REPORT # o/-()3 Financial Impact of Community Rental Housing Program The Province initially allocated 135 units to Durham Region under its Homelessness . Rent Supplement Program in November 1999. These units are 100% Provincially funded. In 2002, the Housing Services Division was advised that 60 additional units would be allocated to Durham Region. The Province recently announced that funding for the five-year program will now be extended until 2023. . The Province is encouraging Service Managers to make use of one-quarter of their homelessness rent supplement allocation for new units created under the Community Rental Housing Program. In a previous report to Council, 50 of the 60 Homel~ssness Rent Supplement units were held pending Council resolution on the Region's participation in the Community Rental Housing Program (Refer Report 2003-SH-02), Assuming the Provincially funded Homelessness Rent Supplement program will be available to 25% of the total number of units created through an affordable housing program in Durham Region, 50 units could be allocated across the Region as follows: Proposed D' t 'b f IS n U Ion 0 or a e ousm~ en a niSin Municipality Housing Unit Rent Supplement Allocation Allocation Ajax 30 7 Brock 10 2 Clarinqton 30 7 Oshawa 55 14 Pickerinq 35 8 SCUqOq 10 2 Uxbridqe 10 2 Whitby 35 8 215 50 Table 5 f Aff d bl H R t I U 't ' Durham Region The Regional Chair's Task Force Report recommended that up to two-thirds of the units created under an affordable housing program be made available to lower income households. Appendix C details the costs for a rent supplement program that would include 100% Regional funds to expand the program for an additional 93 units. Table 6 summarizes potential Regional costs for additional rent subsidies. . sima e en upplemen osts Average Annual Estimated 20 Year Cost Cost* Estimated Cost for 143 Units $409,703 $8,194,061 Provincial Funding for 50 Units $140,036 $2,800,716 (estimated) Net Estimated Cost to Region of $269,667 $5,393,345 Durham E f Table 6 t d R t 5 I te * Net Present Value Discounted at 6% per year Region of Durham - April 2003 10 '. I ATTACHMENT # ~ TO I.D.T. REPORT # 0 I -03 Financial Impact of Community Rental Housing Program While the annual costs will vary as a result of tenant income and market rent amounts, Provincial rent supplements could provide approximately $2.8 million to offset the rent charged to approximately 50 households over the current life of the Homelessness Rent Supplement Program. Further analysis is required by Regional staff to assess the potential for a Regional Rent Supplement Program. 6.0 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS A summary of the value of estimated potential program contributions over 20 years, based on assumptions agreed to bY. the Working Group, is set out below: Table 7 Regional Community Rental Housing Program Estimated Contributions Over 20 Years Based on 215 Unit Model as er C.N. Watson Anal sis Federal Provincial Area Municipalities Region Development Charges Per Unit $4,008 $6,733 Property Tax* Program Rent Supplement (50 units) Other Per Unit Program Contributions Total * Net Present Value for 20 years at 6% 1 Does not include potential costs of $5,393,345 for a Regional Rent Supplement Program for an additional 93 units. Attachments: Appendix A - SHS Inc: Analysis of Impact on Affordability of Alternative Rental Housing Incentives Appendix B- C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd.: Fiscal Impact to Durham Region and Area Municipalities of the Affordable Housing Program - Community Rental Housing Appendix C - CN Watson and Associates Ltd.: 20 Year Cost of a Rent Supplement Program Region of Durham - April 2003 11 ATTACHMENT #;;) TO I.O.T. REPORT # 0 /- () 3 DURHAM REGION FISCAL IMPACT TO DURHAM REGION AND AREA MUNICIPALITIES OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM - COMMUNITY RENTAL HOUSING C.N. WATSON AND ASSOCIATES LTD. ECONOMISTS Draft 4304 V!IIage Centre Court Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L4Z 152 March 25, 2003 Telephone: (905) 272-3600 Fax: (905) 272-3602 e-mail: Info@cnwatson.on.ca PLANNING FOR GROWTH ATTACHMENT # I.D.T. REPORT # ~ TO 0/-0'3 1. FISCAL IMPACT TO DURHAM REGION AND AREA MUNICIPALITIES OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM 1. Introduction Background Various legislative changes over the last few years have enabled service managers, like the Region of Durham, to stimulate the production of new affordable housing by using a number of financing incentives, including: . Grants; Loans; . . Development Charge (DC) exemption; Exemption of other fees and charges; and, Discounted purchase of municipal land. . . In 2001, the Regional Chair struck a task force to examine how to increase the supply of housing within the Region and to develop an action plan that identified ways to do so. In 2002, a Regional Working Group that includes Area Municipality representation was established to further develop and cost recommendations from the Chair's Task Force Report. In 2002, the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada entered into an agreement to increase the province-wide stock of affordable housing through a program of matching financial incentives. The Federal-Provincial Affordable Housing Program - Community Rental Housing Program funding will consist of contributions toward affordable housing development that will equal, to an average maximum of $25,000 per unit. The Province will provide $2,000 per unit provincial sales tax (PST) rebate as its share of matching contributions. Municipal contributions eligible for matching by the Federal Government under this program consist of: . Waivers or reductions of Development Charges or other municipal fees; . Cash contributions; . Land; and, Foregone tax revenue resulting from taxation as a residential property instead of as a multi-r~sidential property. . C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd. H:\durhamlAffordable Housing\Durham Affordable Housing Fl. doc ATTACHMENT #:< TO to.T. REPORT # 01-03 2. The Regional Affordable Rental Housing Working Group enlisted the services of SHS Inc. to determine what measures the Region and Area Municipalities might have to take to ensure affordable housing is developed considering the requirements of the Provincial Community Rental Housing Program. The conclusion of their work was that, generally, rental housing could be made affordable by both tiers of local government providing a grant-in-lieu of full DC exemption and by taxing these (assumed to be multi-family) 'developments at the single family residential rate. Purpose and Scope of this Report The purpose of this report is to build on the finding of SHS Inc. and to estimate the fiscal impact of an affordable rental-housing program of approximately 200 units that will remain affordable for 20 years. The analysis contained herein is an attempt to estimate the fiscal impact on the Region of Durham and its constituent area municipalities of providing a grant-in-lieu of full DC exemption (DC grant hereafter) and taxing multi-residential developments at the residential rate. The purpose of this analysis is to provide an approximation of what it might cost the Region and the Area Municipalities to provide these incentives given a development scenario based on certain assumptions regarding unit mix and geographical distribution. It is likely that through the tender process required to select projects, a different distribution of affordable units will actually develop. However, this analysis will also provide approximate per-unit impacts that will help the Regional and Area Municipal Councils understand the impact of a different unit distribution. This report proceeds by discussing, for each step of the analysis, the key assumptions and results, which are followed by a concluding section. All tables referred to throughout this report are. provided in Appendix A. C,N, Watson and Associates Ltd. H:\durhamlAffordable HousinglDurham Affordable Housing FI.doc . ' ATTACHMENT #:; TO tD.T. REPORT # 0/- 03 3. 2. Fiscal Impact Analysis Total Units, Unit Distribution, and Unit Mix The first phase of this program includes Federal funds sufficient to match municipal contributions for 200 units at an average contribution of $25,000 a unit. It is too early in the program time-line to know where units will develop or the number and kind of unit-mix that might evolve. However, in order to develop a meaningful estimate of potential fiscal impact, this analysis assumes a value for each of these variables. These assumptions are developed in Table 1. Table 1 contains the assumed number of total units, their distribution among the area municipalities, and the assumed unit mix (walk-up apartments (by unit size) vs. town/row houses). The total number of units to be distributed in Durham Region is 200 units. The allocation of units to the Area Municipalities' is based an their share of 2001 census population. The Affordable Rental Housing Working Group agreed that a reasonable basis for distributing units across the region is each municipality's share of the Region's 2001 census population. This distribution of units on this basis leaves some municipalities such as Brock and Scugog with too few units to which full incentive could be offered. Therefore, the total units have been rounded to ensure that at least as many units as those needed to be considered as multi- residential (seven) are allotted to each municipality. The result of the rounding is that a region- wide total of 215 units are used in this analysis. In order to estimate DC revenues, the following variables must be explicitly determined: . The number of town houses; The number of apartments with two or more bedrooms; and, The number of bachelor and one-bedrooms apartments. . . The unit mix assumed for this analysis is based on the unit mix identified by the 2001 Census and adjusted to ensure that development sizes made sense, e.g. strict application of the Census unit mix yielded one town house in Scugog and Uxbridge which was then assumed to be zero. ' C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd. H:\durhamlAffordable HousinglDurham Affordable Housing FI.doc ATTACHMENT # ::< TO I.D.T. REPORT # 0/ ~() 3 4. Estimated Development Charge Grants The SHS Inc. analysis concluded that, generally, both Area Municipalities and the Region must offer DC grants equal to the full development charge payable on each unit of affordable housing. Table 2 calculates the potential DC revenues due to the Region and Area Municipalities with respect to the affordable housing units created under the proposed program and provides estimates of the grant amounts that could be paid to the developers in lieu of DC exemptions. This table does not assume an explicit timing of either collections or grant dispersal. Thus, the rates used have not been adjusted for construction cost increases. This table als,? assumes that each development will be fully serviced and that each municipality and the Region will provide grants equal to the full amount of the development charge. Total DC revenue estimates shown in this table assume the unit distribution and mix detailed in Table 1. The per-unit impact of any unit is equal to the DC for that unit. .The average Area Municipality DC grant, given the assumed unit mix, ranges from approximately $25,000 (average of $2,588 per unit) in Brock to $207,000 (average of $3,788 per unit) in Oshawa. The Regional DC grants would total approximately $.1.45 million or an average of $6,733 per unit. The Impact of Foregone Tax Revenue One of the municipal contributions required for inclusion in the Federal matching scheme is foregone tax revenue. The SHS Inc. analysis concluded, in general, that the combination of a reduction in taxes for the developer in each municipality, in addition to a related matching grant, would be necessary to produce affordable-rent units. It is important to note that developers might currently be paying taxes on potential development sites that are lower than the full residential rate. Therefore, development of affordable rental housing that is taxed at the full residential rate might result in tax revenues that are higher than what could be collected in the absence of this program. C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd. H:\durhamlAffordable HousinglDurham Affordable Housing Fl. doc ATTACHMENT #:( TO I.D.T. REPORT # () / ,() :s 5. One key aspect of this portion of the analysis is its time horizon. The Province has specified that municipal funds eligible for matching will be based on the net present value (NPV) of 10 years of foregone tax revenue (using a 6% discount rate). However, the Province has also stipulated that in order to be eligible for any funds, projects must be affordable for a minimum of 15 years followed by a five-year phase-in of market rents. This analysis assumes that municipalities will offer developments the full tax reduction' for 20 years. Table 3 presents the current assessment values and tax rates to be used as the basis for the multi-year foregone tax revenue analysis. This table also includes the calculation of a single- year's tax revenue impact as an example of how each year's impact in the multi-year analysis is estimated. The per-unit value of assessment assumed for this analysis was provided in the analysis of SHS Inc. The tax rates are the municipalities' 2002 tax rates. This portion of the analysis assumes that all affordable housing units will be developed as multi-unit residential developments of a sufficient size to be taxed at the multi-residential tax rate (MT). Table 4 is a summary of the total foregone tax revenue estimated using two methods. Method 1 is the method used by the Province to calculate municipal costs eligible for matching (as detailed in the Matching Funding Worksheet in the Province's Affordable Housing Program- Community Rental Housing document). This method will recognize, for contribution-matching purposes, 10 years of foregone tax revenue based on a constant value of foregone revenue over the ten years 1. Estimates of this eligible amount, shown in Table 4 (third column of numbers), are based on the total foregone tax revenue calculated in Table 3. Based on this method, Area Municipalities can expect to forego taxes over 10 years ranging in value from $34,309 (or $3,431 per unit) in Uxbridge to $456,868 ($8,307 per unit) in Oshawa The Region can expect to have $2 million in foregone taxes recognized as an eligible cost ($9,319 per unit). Method 2 provides an estimate of total foregone tax revenue using a method that will better approximate the total cost to each municipality. This method assumes: 1 The Province's worksheet calculates the NPV of 10 years of foregone revenue (assuming that the value of foregone revenue will be the same in each year (A» with the formula: ~NO.O6]~J1-(1/«1.06)9)]} C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd. H:\durhamlAffordabie Housing\Durham Affordable Housing FI.doc ATTACHMENT # ;( TO to.T. REPORT # 0/ -() 3> 6. . The tax impact on municipalities would occur over 20 years, either through a program requirement for full affordability over 20 years or through 15-years of full affordability followed by a five-year program phase-out. For simplicity, full affordability, that is full tax reduction, is assumed over a full 20-year period. The assumed value of the affordable housing units is assumed to be constant. Tax rates are assumed to increase at an annual rate of one per cent (1 %) as a general and (very) conservative provision for regular rate increase pressures (including inflation). While foregone tax revenue is calculated starting 2002, it is recognized that this will not be realized immediately. Therefore, this analysis assumes that all units would be built and be eligible for multi-residential taxation in 2005. This timing recognizes the time it will take to issue tenders as well as plan, build, and assess developments. Thus, Table 4 calculates the discounted present values back to 2005 for each year from 2005 to 2025 assuming a 6% discount rate, as prescribed. . . . Based on this method, Area Municipalities can expect to forego taxes over 10 years ranging in value from $36,807 ($3,681 per unit) in Uxbridge to $490,129 ($8,911 per unit) in Oshawa. Over 20 years, Area Municipalities can expect to forego taxes ranging from $61,234 (or $6,123 per unit) in Uxbridge and $815,403 (or $14,826 per unit) in Oshawa. The Region can expect to forego $2.15 million in tax revenue over 10 years and $3.58 million over 20 years ($9,997 and $16,632 per unit respectively). Net Impact of Affordable Housing The cost of the affordable housing program to each municipality is equal to the total DC grant payable plus the 20-years of foregone tax revenue. Table 5 presents the calculation of the estimated impact of the Affordable Housing Program on the Region and each of the Area Municipalities. Similar to Table 4, this' table shows both the total costs eligible for matching and the total estimated cost to the municipality. The percentages shown in the table are each municipality's share of total contributions to units. Using the Provincial approach, units in Ajax, Oshawa, Pickering, and Whitby would contribute in excess of the average $25,000 per unit matching contributions while units in Brock, Clarington, Scugog, and Uxbridge will not. The total costs per unit to the Region and Area Municipalities, C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd. H:\durhamlAffordab/e HousinglDurham Affordable Housing FI.doc . . ATTACHMENT #.:< TO I.D.T. REPORT # 0/ -0 ~ 7. over the 20-year period would range from approximately $30,000 per unit in Scugog and Uxbridge to almost $43,000 per unit in Oshawa. C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd. H:\durhamlAffordable Housing\Durham Affordable Housing FI.doc ATTACHMENT # ~ TO I.D.T. REPORT # 0/-03 8. 3. Discussion This fiscal impact analysis assesses the cost of the Community Rental Housing Program on the Regional Municipality of Durham and the Area Municipalities. The results of this analysis in terms of the total costs, however, depend on the number, distribution, and mix of units. The total cost estimates produced by this analysis should provide the Region and Area Municipalities an approximation of the financial implications of this program. Since the total number of units contemplated in this analysis is likely to be close to the maximum number actually developed, the impact s.hown in Table 5 might be a more reasonable expectation of the Region's costs. The impact on Area Municipalities is likely to display greater variance if the actual experience develops with a different geographical distribution of units and. unit mix. However, the costs per unit calQulated herein and shown in Table 5 provide a quick means to estimate the cost of proposed affordable housing units. The difference between the measure of eligible costs over 10-years and the total estimated costs over 20 years, on both an aggregate and per-unit basis, as calculated in this analysis are not significant. While actual experience could result in impacts that are either higher or lower than those estimated here, there are some important assumptions that have likely cause the total 20-year impact to be understated. In particular: . This analysis assumes that full DC grants and tax reduction would be sufficient to' produce affordable rents, however the SHS Inc. analysis showed that this might not be the case in all municipalities. . The 20-year estimate of foregone tax is likely low due to rather conservative tax rate and assessment appreciation assumptions (1 % and 0%, respectively). Conversely, the impact will be lower if, in any municipality, the contributions required by the developer are less than those assumed for the purpose of this analysis. C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd. H:\durhamlAffordable HousinglDurham Affordable Housing Fl. doc ATTACHMENT #::< TO tD.T. REPORT # O/-() "3 A1 APPENDIX A DETAILED IMPACT CALCULATION TABLES C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd. H:\durhamlAffordable Housing\Durham Affordable Housing Fl.doc . TABLE 1 REGION OF DURHAM "ASSUMED DISTRIBUTION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS1 \TTACHMENT#!) TO D.T. REPORT # -(2~Q!¿ A1 2001 Census Population Total Housing Allocation Municipality Persons % Units Rounded Ajax 73,753 15% 29 30 Brock 12,110 2% 5 10 Clarington 69,834 14% 28 30 Oshawa 139,051 27% 55 55 Pickering 87,139 17% 34 35 Scugog 20,173 4% 8 10 Uxbridge 17,377 3% 7 10 Whitby 8741'\ <701 34 35 !OO 215 ...- "'U¡. J41 ;jb 'Total L 506,850 i 100%, 200 2151 2001 Census Unit Mix2 Town Apt 37% 63% 0% 100% 26% 74% 35% 65% 75% 25% 9% 91% 7% 93% 36% 64% I 227%1 573%1 ASSUMED MIX OF APARTMENT UNITS BASED ON UNIT MIX REPORTED IN 2001 CENSUS. . FOR DEVELOPMENT CHARGE GRANT CALCULATION PURPOSES Total Assumed Share of Total Existing Assumed Number of Apartment Apartment Units4 Apartment Units by Size Municipality Units Bach + 1 BR 2+ BR Bach + 1 BR 2+BR Ajax 19 30% 70% 6 13 Brock 10 57% 43% 6 4 Clarington 22 41% 59% 9 13 Oshawa 36 39% 61% 14 22 Pickering 9 27% .73% 2 7 Scugog 10 55% 45% 6 4 Uxbridge 10 44% 56% 4 6 Whitby 'J':t ---. 3% 11 12 ::J 58i 811 i -~ l 4(701 53%1 11/ 121 !Total J 139 -' I 58 811 1 Suggestéd by the Durham Region Affordable Housing Working Group. 2 Relative share of rented town houses and apartment units in buildings under 5 storeys. 3 Differs from the calculated mix to aI/ow for appropriately-sized developments. 4 Based on the 2001 number of 0, 1, 2,3, and 4 bedroom units in apartment buildings under 5 storeys. Calculated Unit Mix Town Apt Total 11 19 30 0 10 10 8 22 30 19 36 55 26 9 35 1 9 10 1 9 10 12 23 35 78 137 215 Assumed Unit Mix3 Town Apt Total 11 19 30 0 10 10 8 22 30 19 36 55 26 9 35 0 10 10 0 10 10 12 23 35 76. 139 215 C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd. H:\durhamlAffordable HousinglDurham Affordable Housing FI.doc ATTACHMENT # I.D.T. REPORT # :< TO ð/-O3 A2 TABLE 2 REGION OF DURHAM AND AREA MUNICIPALITIES ANTICIPATED DC GRANTS (2002 Rates) TO DEVELOPERS Municipaliiy Number of Affordable Lower Tier Lower Tier Regional Regional Total Housing Units Development DC Development DC DC Charqe' Grants Charqe' Grants Grants TOWNHOUSES Ajax 11 4,930 54,230 9,194 101.134 155,364 Brock 0 2,688 0 9,194 0 0 Clarington 8 6,553 52.424 9,194 73,552 1 25.976 Oshawa 19 5,286 100.434 9,194 174,686 275.120 Pickering 26 5,943 154,518 9.194 239,044 393,562 Scugog 0 4,346 0 9,194 0 0 Uxbridge 0 4,144 0 9,194 0 0 Whitbl 12 4,026 48,312 9,194 11 0,328 158,640 Sub-Total Townhouses 76 409,918 698.744 1.108.662 APARTMENTS - Bachll BDR Ajax 6 2,630 15.780 3.824 22,944 38.724 Brock 6 2,588 15,528 3.824 22,944 38.472 Clarington 9 3.163 28.467 3,824 34.416 62.883 Oshawa 14 2,476 34.664 3,824 53,536 88200 Pickering 2 3,021 6,042 3.824 7.648 13,690 Scugog 6 3,042 18252 3,824 22.944 41.196 Uxbridge 4 3.256 13,024 3.824 15296 28,320 Whit!)}' 11 2.602 28-622 3,824 42,064 70,686 Sub-Total Apts, 58 160.379 221.792 382.171 APARTMENTS - 2 BDR + Ajax 13 3,453 44,889 6,508 84,604 129.493 Brock 4 2,588 10,352 6,508 26,032 36,384 Clarington 13 4,972 64,636 6,508 84,604 149,240 Oshawa 22 3,303 72.666 6,508 143.176 215.842 Pickering 7 4.029 28,203 6,508 45,556 7S,759 Scugog 4 3,042 12,168 6.508 26,032 38200 Uxbridge 6 3.256 19,536 6,508 39.048 58.584 Whitby 12 , 3.255 39,060 6,508 78,096 117,156 Sub-Total Apts. 81 291.510 527.148 818.658 TOTAL Ajax 30 114,899 208,682 323,581 Brock 10 25,880 48.976 74.856 Clarington SO 145,527 192,572 338.099 Oshawa 55 n/a 207.764 n/a 371.398 579,1 62 Pickering 35 188.763 292.248 481,011 Scugog 10 30.420 48,976 79,396 Uxbridge 10 32,560 54,344 86,904 Whitby 35 116,994 230,488 346,482 Total 215 861.807 1.447.684 2,309.491 , As of late 2002. and as quoted in the SHS Inc. analysis. 2 Average of the large and small town house rates of $3,255 and $4,797 per unit C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd, H:\durhamlAffordable HousinglDurham Affordabie Housing FI.doc ATTACHMENT # R TO to.T. REPORT # 0/-0 3 A3 TABLE 3 REGION OF DURHAM AND AREA MUNICIPALITIES ONE-TIME REDUCTION IN TAXES (2002$) DUE TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING TAX CLASS CHANGE TOWN HOUSES Municipality Affordable Housing Assumed Number Total 2002 Tax Total Taxes 2002 Tax Total Taxes 2002 AJ1nual Reduction In Assessment of Units Affordable Housing RateZ At Multi-Res Rste2 At Residantial Taxas Per Unit (5>1 Unit)! And Unit Mi)( Ass8!ssm8!nt (Mn Tax Rate (RTI Tax Rate Total Per Unit LOWER TIER TAXES Ajax 140,000 11 1,540,000 1.1451 % 17,634 0.4771 % 7,348 10,287 935 Brock3 126 ,500 0 0 1.4B32% 0 0.6180% 0 0 0 Claringlon 134 ,500 8 1,076,000 0.9998% 10,758 0.4166% 4,482 6,275 784 Oshawa 135,500 19 2,574,500 1.6164% 41,615 0.6735% 17,340 24,276 1,278 Pickering 144,500 20 3,757,000 0,9013% 33,863 0.3756% 14,1'10 19,754 760 Scugog 134 ,000 0 0 0.9150% 0 0.3813% 0 0 0 Uxbridge 140,000 0 0 0.7284% 0 0.3035% 0 0 0 Whitby4 137,000 12 1,644,000 1.1230% 18462 0.4679% 7,693 10770 897 Sub.Total Lower-TIer T8)(e5 76 10,591,500 122,332 50,912 71.361 :939 REGIONAL TA.XES6 Ajax 140,000 11 1,540,000 1.7808% 27,425 0.7420% 11 ,427 15,998 1,454 Brock 126,500 0 0 1,8774% 0 0,7822% 0 0 0 ClaringtoM 134,500 8 1,076,000 1.7118% 18,419 0.7132% 7,674 10,744 1,343 Oshawa 135,500 19 2,574,500 1.7967% 46;256 0.7486% 19,273 26,982 1,420 Pickering 144 ,500 28 3,757,000 1.7542% 6:5,904 0.7309% 27,460 38,444 1,479 Scugog 134,000 0 0 1.8658% 0 0.7774% 0 0 0 Uxbridge 140,000 0 0 1.8196% a 0.7581 % 0 0 0 Whitby 137 000 12 1 644,000 1.7792% 29,250 0.7413% 12,188 17,063 1,422 Sub.Total Reqional Taxes 7& 10,591,500 187,253 78,022 109,231 1,437 Total 76 , 10.591.500 I I 309_586 I I 1 28.994 1180.592 I 2.316 WALK-UP APARTMENTS Municipality Affordable Housing Assumed Number Total 2002 Tax Total Taxes 2002 Tax Total Taxes 2002 Annual Reduction In Assessment alUnits Affordable Housing Ra1e At Multi-Re s Rate At Residential Taxes Per Unit ($/Unit)2 And Unit Mix Assessment (Mn Tax Rate (Rn Tax Rate Total Per Unit LOWER TIER TAXES Ajax 103 ,000 19 1 ,957,000 1.1451% 22,409 0.4771% 9,337 13,072 688 8rock3 97,500 . 10 975,000 1.4832% 14,461 0.6180% 6,025 8,436 0 Clarington 101 ,000 22 2,222,000 0.9998% 22,215 0.4166% 9,256 12,959 589 Oshawa 101,000 35 3,636,000 1.6164% 58,774 0.6735% 24,489 34,285 952 Pickering 105,500 9 949,500 0.9013% 8,558 0.3756% 3,566 4,992 :555 Scugog 101,000 10 1,010,000 0.9150% 9,242 0.31313% 3,851 5,391 0 Uxbridge 1 03 ,500 10 1 ,035,000 0.7284% 7,:539 0 .3035% 3,141 4,398 0 Whitby' 103,000 23 2369,000 1.1230% 26,604 0.4679% 11,085 15519 675 Sub-Total Lower. TIer Tax8$ 139 14,153,500 16:!!,:SO2 10,751 99,051 713 REGIONAL TA.XES5 Ajax 103 ,000 19 1 ,957,000 1.7808% 34,851 0.7420% 14,521 20,329 1,070 8rock 97,:500 10 975,000 1.8774% 18,304 0.7822% 7,627 10,678 0 C larington 101,000 22 2,222,000 1.7118% 313,036 0.7132% 15,848 22,1813 1,009 Oshawa 101,000 38 3,638,000 1.7987% 8:5,327 0.7488% 27,220 38,108 1,059 Pickering 105 ,500 9 949,500 1.7542% 16,656 0.7309% 6,940 9,716 1,080 Scugog 101,000 10 1,010,000 1. 8658% 18,844 0.7774% 7,852 10,993 0 Uxbndge 103,500 10 1,035,000 1.8196% 18,1332 0.7681% 7,847 10,986 0 Whitby 103 ,000 23 2,369,000 1. 7792% 42150 0,7413% 17562 24,587 1069 Sub-Total Reqional Ta)(es 139 14.153.500 253.001 105,417 141,584 1,062 Total 139 14.153.500 422.802 176.168 246.635 1,774 Grand Total 215 24.745,000 I Assessment Values as provided by SHS Inc. Analysis. 22002 tax rates as supplied by Region 01 Durham Finance. Education rates are excluded. 3 Brock rates aS$ume development in traffic light zone. 4 Whitby urban rate in a transit area used. 5 Regional taxes include waste rales. C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd. H:\durhamlAffordable Housing\Durham Affordable Housing Fl. doc TABLE 4 REGION OF DURHAM AND AREA MUNICIPALITIES PV OF FOREGONE TAXES ATTACHMENT #:( TO tD.T. REPORT # 01--_(>-3. A4 METHOD 1 . PROVINCI.A.L ESTIMATE METHOD 2 - TOTAL ESTIMATED FOREGONG TAX REVENUE Municipality Assumed Number To1<1l A.nnu<ll Province's Method - Eligible Tax Cost Assuming Ap'preciation of Tax Rates (@ 1 % I yr) of Uni1$ f'\.ffordable Housing. Reduction in 10- Year Pre$ent Value @ 6% 10- Year Pre$ent ValiJe @. 6% 20- Year Present Value @ 6% And Unit Mix Assessment TaJees Total Per Unit Tolal Per Unit Total Per Unit AREA MUNICIPALITY TAXES ~jax 30 3,497,000 23,358 182,235 6,075 195,503 6,517 325,248 10,842 Brock 10 975,000 8.436 65,813 6,581 70,604 7.060 117,460 11,746 Clarington 30 3,298,000 19,234 150,058 5,002 160,982 5.366 267,818 8,927 Oshawa 55 6,210,500 58,560 456,868 8,307 490,129 8,911 815.403 14 ,826 Pickering 35 4,708 ,600 24,746 193,060 5,516 207,116 5,918 344,568 9,845 Scugog 10 1,010,000 5,391 42,060 4,206 45,122 4,512 75,067 7,ffJ7 UxIJridge 10 1 ,035 ,000 4,398 34,309 3,431 36,807 3,681 61.234 6,123 Whitby 35 4,013,000 26,289 205,096 5,860 220 ,027 6,286 366 ,048 10.459 Suh-To1allower-TierTaxBs 215 24,745,000 170,412 1,329,499 6,184 1,1\16,2119 6,634 2,312,845 11,036 REGIONAL TAXES .A,jax 30 3,497,000 36,327 283,413 9,447 304 ,046 10 ,135 505,826 16,861 Brock 10 975,000 10,673 33,304 3,330 89,366 8,937 148,677 14 ,868 Clarington 30 3 .298 ,000 32,932 256 ,924 8,564 275,628 9,188 458,549 15,285 O$hawa 55 6,210,500 65,090 507,812 9,233 544,781 9,905 906,325 16.479 Pickering 35 4,706,500 48,160 375.730 10,735 403 ,083 11,517 670,589 19,160 Scugog 10 1,010,000 10,993 85,761 8,576 92,004 9,200 153,063 15,306 U)(IJridge 10 1 ,035 ,000 10,986 85.706 8,571 91,946 9,195 152,965 15,297 '.'Vhitby 35 4013000 41 ,650 324942 9,284 348,598 9,960 579,946 16,570 Sllb-Tota' R.e.gional Taxes; 215 24,745,000 256,111'5 2,003,59') 9.319 2,149,456 9,991 3,515,941 16,632 TOTAlTAXES ~a)( 30 3,497,000 59 , 686 465,649 15,522 499,549 16,652 831,074 27,702 Brock 10 975,000 19,113 149,116 14,912 159,972 15,997 266,138 26,614 Clarington 30 3,298,000 52,166 406,981 13,566 436,610 14,554 726,367 24,212 Oshawa 55 6,210,500 123,650 964,680 17,540 1,034,910 18,817 1,721,7'23 31,304 Pick..ring 35 4,706,500 72,906 568,790 16,251 610,199 17,434 1,015,157 29,004 Scugog 10 1,010,000 16,384 127,821 12,782 137,126 13,713 228,130 22,813 UxÞridge 10 1 ,035,000 15,383 120,015 12,002 128,752 12,875 214,199 21,420 Whitby 35 4,013,000 67,939 530,038 15,144 568,625 16,246 945,993 27,028 Total 215 24,145,000 421,227 3,3:3:3,090 1'5,503 3,515,744 16,631 5,948,186 27,669 C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd. H:\durhamlAffordable Housing\Durham Affordable Housing FI.doc Total Total Affordable Value of Municipality Housinq Unit DC Grãnt AH~a Municipalities Ajax 30 114,899 Brock 10 25,880 Claringlon 30 145,527 Oshawa 55 207,764 Pickering 35 188,763 Scugog 10 30,420 Uxbridge 10 32,560 Whitby 35 115,994 T alaI 115 861.S01 Region Ajax 30 208,682 Brock 10 48,976 Clarington 30 192,572 Oshawa 55 371.398 Pickering 35 292,248 Scugog 10 48,976 Uxbridge 10 54,344 Whitby 35 230,488 Total 215 1,447.684 Region ¡md Area Municipalities Aj3)( 30 323,581 Brock 10 74,856 Clarington 30 . 338,099 Oshawa 55 579,162 Pickering 35 481,011 Scugog 10 79,396 Uxbridge 10 86,904 Whitby 35 346,482 Total' 215 2,309,491 ATTACHMENT #"J., I U AS TABLE 5 J.D.T. REPORT # aL~tL3. Region of Durham and Area MlInicilHllities NET IMPACTS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM ELIGIBLE COST (PROVINCIAL ESTIMATE) Eligible Total Eligible Costs PV of 10 Years (10 yrs Tax + DC) Foregone Tax Total Per Unit Share 182,235 297,134 9,904 38% 65,813 91,693 9,169 41% 150 ,058 295,585 9,853 40% 456,868 664,632 12,084 43% 193,060 381 ,823 10,909 36% 42,060 72,480 7,248 35% 34 ,309 66,869 6,687 32% 205,096 321,090 9,174 37% 1.329.499 1.191.306 10.192 39% 283,413 492,095 16,403 62% 83 ,304 132,280 ~3,228 59% 256,924 449,496 14 ,983 60% 507,812 879,210 15,986 57% 375,730 667,978 19,085 64% 85,761 134.737 13,474 65% 85,706 140,050 14,005 68% 324,942 555,430 15,869 63% 2.003.591 3,451.275 16,052 61% 465,649 789,230 26,308 100% 149:116 223,972 22,397 100% 406,981 745,080 24,836 100% 964,680 1,543,842 28,070 100% 568,790 1,049,801 29,994 100% 127,821 207,217 20,722 100% 120,015 206,919 20 ,692 100% 530,038 876,520 25,043 100% 3,333.090 5,642.581 26,245 100% I TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS I Estimated Total Cost PV of20 Years (20'1 ï Tax + DC) Foreaone Tax Total PBf Unit Share 325,248 440,147 14 ,672 38% 117,460 143,340 14,334 42% 267,818 4"13 ,345 13 ,778 39% 815,403 1,023,167 18,603 44% 344,568 533,331 15,238 36% 75,067 1 05 ,487 10,549 34% 61 ,234 93,794 9,379 31% 366,048 482,042 13,773 37% 2.372.845 3,234,652 15,045 39% 505,826 714,508 23,817 62% 148,677 197,653 19,765 58% 458,549 651,121 21 ,704 61% 906,325 1 ;2.77 ,723 23,231 56% 670,589 962,837 27,510 64% 153,063 202,039 20 ,204 66% 152,965 207,309 20,731 69% 579,946 810,434 23,155 63% 3.515,941 5,023,625 23.366 61% 831,074 1,154,655 38,489 100% 266,138 340,994 34 ,099 100% 726,367 1,064,466 35,482 100% 1,72.1 ,729 2,300,89.1 41 ,834 100% 1,015,157 1,496,168 42,748 100% 228,130 307,526 30,753 100% 214,199 301,103 30,110 100% 945,993 .1 ,292,475 36 ,928 100% 5.948,186 8.258,211 38,411 100% C.N. Watson and Associates Ltd. 1The Federal/Provincial contribution is limited to an overall åverage of $25,000 per unit. Some additional contributions may have to made in some Area Municipalities. H:ldurhamlAffordable HousinglDurham Affordable Housing FI.doc ATTACHMENT# 3 TO to.T. REPORT # 01-0 ~ ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT CLERK'S DIVISION :MEMORANDUM March 8, 2002 TO: Neil Carroll, Director, Planning & Development FROM: Bruce Taylor, Clerk SUBJECT: Referrals ITom the Council Meeting of March 4,2002 RECEIVED MAR 1 1 2002 CITY OF PICKERING PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Please be advised that the Council of the City of Pickering passed Resolution #43/02, Item #3, at the Council Meeting of March 4, 2002, as follows: 1. That Report PD 07-02 of the Director, Planning & Development on the Report from the Regional Chair's Task Force on Sustainable/Affordable Housing be received; and 2. That the Regional Chair be advised that the City of Pickering supports in principle, subject to further discussion and review as outlined in recommendation #3 below, the concept of Area Municipalities being a partner in a multi-partner approach to assist in providing financial incentives to encourage the supply to affordable rental housing; and 3. That the Regional Chair be requested to establish an Affordable Rental Housing Working Group with appropriate Regional and Area Municipal representation to further refine, clarify and identify specific implementation program details, for presentation back to local Area Municipal Councils, including but not limited to the following matters: . investigating options and implementation mechanisms, other than direct reduction/waiving of fees, to off-set the area municipality costs attributed to an affordable, rental unit program; . ensuring that the costs incurred by an area municipality in waiving area municipal fees and charges are fairly shared among the taxpayers of the Region, and do not result in an unfair financial burden to any area municipality; . ensuring a fair distribution throughout the Region of the maximum 100 subsidized units per year; . limiting the proposed area municipal participation for cost reductions/waivers to the Region's 100 subsidized units per year (whether private or public sector initiatives); . ensuring that subsidies result I reduced rental rates for the tenants; . ensuring the monthly rents will not be increased beyond the target affordable rents; . ensuring the units with subsidized production costs will remain as rental units; . establishing a completion date for the program; and . identifying a monitoring process for the program; All ACHMENT # ~ TO 1.0.T. REPORT # t)/ -0 ~ - 2- 4. That Pickering Council advocates a key role for both the Provincial and Federal governments in funding affordable housing, and urges most strongly the Premier of Ontario and the Deputy Prime Minister to act on those recommendations of Durham Region's Task Force directed at the Provincial and Federal Governments; and 5. That a copy of Report PD 07-02 be forwarded to the Regional Clerk, the Regional Chair, the Clerk of each of Durham's Area Municipalities, the Premier of Ontario and the Deputy Prime Minister. "\~ I:J~~))'lh- 1k'~1 B. Taylor BT:dk Copy: T.J. Quinn, Chief Administrative Officer