HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLN 04-23Report to
Executive Committee
Report Number: PLN 04-23
Date: February 6, 2023
From: Kyle Bentley
Director, City Development & CBO
Subject: Municipal Housing Targets and Municipal Housing Pledges
- File: D-1300-017
Recommendation:
1. That Report PLN 04-23 regarding Municipal Housing Targets and Municipal Housing
Pledges be received;
2. That Council advise the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and
Housing (MMAH), that Report PLN 04-23, constitutes the City of Pickering’s Housing
Pledge, as requested in his letter to the City’s Clerk, dated October 25, 2022;
3. That Council advise the Honourable Steve Clark, MMAH, that it generally supports the
Municipal Housing Target of 13,000 new homes by 2031, established by the Province for
the City of Pickering, yet further advises that the City’s development approval processes
are but one small part of a very complex system that delivers housing to the market;
4. That Council advise Premier Doug Ford and Honourable Steve Clark, of the following:
a. that it appreciates the Province’s recognition of the cumulative cost put on the
construction of housing (including rental, affordable ownership and rental, and on
attainable (still undefined)), of development charges, community benefits charges,
and parkland contributions; and similarly advises
b. that, if the funding for these services and facilities are to be transferred from these
municipal charges to the property tax base, that home owners or tenants will bear
the increased cost of home ownership, which will also jeopardize housing
affordability; and
c. that the City of Pickering welcomes the Premier’s guarantee to keep municipalities
financially whole;
5. That Council request the Honourable Steve Clark, MMAH, to obtain similar housing
pledge commitments from the building community (through the Building Industry and
Land Development Association (BILD)).
6. That Council direct, through the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, that the
following initiative be undertaken:
a. That the Director, City Development & CBO, in finalizing the first annual City of
Pickering Housing Monitoring Report (as required by the Council adopted Pickering
Housing Action Plan, 2021, Action 3.7), identify any proposed revisions to the Action
Plan that would further assist in meeting the Municipal Housing Targets; and
PLN 04-23 February 6, 2023
Subject: Municipal Housing Targets and Municipal Housing Pledges Page 2
7. That a copy of Report PLN 04-23 and Council’s resolution thereon be forwarded to
Premier Ford, Minister Clark, MMAH, The Honourable Peter Bethlenfalvy, Region of
Durham, and area municipalities.
Executive Summary: Over the last year, the Province has made a series of legislative,
regulatory, and other policy changes, aimed at improving the supply of new housing, while
simultaneously reducing their cost. In particular, for rental (market and affordable), affordable
ownership, and ‘attainable’ housing, the Province has eliminated, or decreased, a
municipality’s ability to require the payment of development charges (DCs), community
benefits charges (CBCs), and parkland requirements.
With respect to improving housing supply, the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal
Affairs and Housing (MMAH) set the Provincial goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2031. To
achieve this, large and fast growing municipalities have been given a housing target, and
asked to develop a municipal housing pledge, and take the necessary steps to reach their
target. Pickering’s target is 13,000 new homes by 2031. The Minster requests the pledge from
municipalities by March 1, 2023.
This report, and Council’s corresponding resolution on the matter, is considered to be the
City’s Municipal Housing Pledge.
The City had undertaken a Housing Study between 2019 and 2021. As a result of that
Study, Council adopted the “Pickering Housing Strategy & Action Plan 2021-2031”, dated
December 22, 2021, on January 24, 2022 (see Action Plan, and related Council Resolutions,
Attachments #1 to #5).
Based on this information, and in consideration of forecasted growth within Seaton and the
City Centre Neighbourhood, staff believe the 13,000 new homes target is achievable by 2031.
However, there are many factors that determine when development occurs. One of the largest
factors is the market conditions that influence the housing market in a particular area. The City
will undertake a variety of initiatives to facilitate this housing target. However, staff strongly
encourage MMAH to obtain similar housing pledge commitments from the building community.
Financial Implications: At this time, an exhaustive costing exercise has not been undertaken
to fully assess the legislated elimination of, or reduction to, the payment of municipal charges
(development charge/community benefits charge/parkland requirements).
However, as actual building permits are issued, the exact dollar amount of lost revenue will
then be calculated. Information regarding lost revenues will be presented to Council through
the annual budget process and the annual “Development Charges Reserve Fund – Statement
of the Treasurer for the Year Ended December 31” which reports on Development Charge
activity for the year.
PLN 04-23 February 6, 2023
Subject: Municipal Housing Targets and Municipal Housing Pledges Page 3
Discussion:
1. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is asking the City to develop a
Municipal Housing Pledge
On October 25, 2022, the Honourable Steve Clark, Ministry of Municipal Affairs &
Housing (MMAH) informed the City of Pickering, among other municipalities, about the
government’s objective to get 1.5 million homes built over the next 10 years (see
Minister Clark Letter, Attachment #6). To support this initiative, the Province introduced
a series of legislative and non-legislative changes to “unlock more housing, streamline
development approvals, remove barriers, accelerate planning, and further protect
homebuyers”.
In this letter, Minister Clark is asking the City of Pickering to demonstrate its commitment
to accelerating housing supply by developing a Municipal Housing Pledge, and taking
the necessary steps to facilitate the construction of 13,000 new homes in Pickering by
2031. There were 28 other lower and single tier municipalities that were assigned a
Municipal Housing Target, ranging from a high of 289,000 for the City of Toronto, to a
low of 8,000 units for Kingston and Niagara Falls. Other Durham municipalities that
were assigned a Municipal Housing Target are:
• Town of Ajax at 17,000;
• Town of Whitby at 18,000;
• City of Oshawa at 23,000; and
• Municipality of Clarington at 13,000 houses.
The Minister is requesting the Councils of municipalities to deliver their pledges back to
MMAH by March 1, 2023.
2. The City undertook a Pickering Housing Strategy Study between 2020 and 2022
On June 15, 2020, following the consideration of Report PLN 05-20, Council directed
City Development staff to undertake a comprehensive Housing Strategy Study. The
purpose of the Housing Strategy Study was to:
• establish the City’s role and priorities with facilitating opportunities for developing
housing, affordable housing, and age-friendly housing in Pickering over the next
10 years (2021-2031);
• assist Council with decision making;
• provide a framework for staff in implementing its responsibilities, including those that
relate to the coordination of actions with other agencies, organizations and
governments;
• assist in guiding residential growth within the City;
• aid in the education and creation of general public awareness of what the City is
doing on this issue; and
• provide a mechanism to monitor progress as the City works to implement its plan.
PLN 04-23 February 6, 2023
Subject: Municipal Housing Targets and Municipal Housing Pledges Page 4
The Housing Strategy Study consisted of 3 phases:
• Phase 1: Research and Gap Analysis;
• Phase 2: Draft Housing Strategy and Action Plan; and
• Phase 3: Recommended Housing Strategy & Action Plan.
As a result of that Study, Council adopted the “Pickering Housing Strategy & Action
Plan 2021-2031”, dated December 22, 2021, on January 24, 2022 (see Action Plan,
Attachment #1,and related Council Resolutions #352/20, #790/22, #817/22, #956/22,
Attachments #2 – #5).
Reports to Council and the Phase 1, 2 and 3 Housing Reports are available on the
Housing Strategy Study page of the City’s website.
3. The Pickering Housing Strategy & Action Plan is the foundation of the City’s
Housing Pledge
The preparation of the City’s Action Plan demonstrates the City’s commitment to taking
action to increase the supply of affordable ownership and rental house within the City,
including facilitating options for a variety of household sizes.
The City’s Action Plan identifies 12 action items, including the following:
1. updating Pickering Official Plan policies respecting: defining affordable housing;
defining housing options; maintaining a 15-year supply of land to accommodate
growth and increasing the minimum short-term supply of land to 5 years; and
protecting existing rental stock from conversion or demolition;
2. investigating inclusionary zoning;
3. updating policies regarding additional dwelling units;
4. enabling shared living arrangements;
5. considering reduced parking standards for affordable and or supporting housing;
6. discouraging down-zoning of higher density lands; and
7. requiring an affordability and accessibility analysis as part of a complete
application.
Work is underway on ‘additional dwelling’ units and will be updated to be consistent with
the recent Planning Act changes, allowing a total of 3 units per lot.
The Action Plan has 5 action items relating to Financial Incentives, including:
1. considering the use of City-owned land (not required for municipal purposes) first
for affordable rental housing;
2. considering waiving fees or providing grants equivalent to the various charges for
affordable rental, affordable ownership, and/or supportive housing developments;
3. prioritizing and facilitating approvals for affordable ownership, supportive housing,
and purpose-built rental housing units;
4. considering establishing a Housing Reserve Fund under the Community Benefits
Charge legislation; and
5. considering implementing a study for a Vacant Home Tax.
PLN 04-23 February 6, 2023
Subject: Municipal Housing Targets and Municipal Housing Pledges Page 5
During the recent processing of planning and building permit applications for an
affordable housing home ownership development (Trillium Housing), City staff
prioritized and facilitated their approvals. The City’s Community Benefits Study did not
identify the use of funds for a Housing Reserve Fund.
Due to the recent implementation of new Provincial legislation requiring the refund of
application fees where application processing fees exceed certain timeframes, the
mandatory 5-year phase-in of development charge rates established in the City’s
July, 2022 by-law, and the elimination, or decrease, of municipal charges (development
charges, community benefits charges, and parkland requirements) for certain eligible
developments, staff do not recommend any further fee reductions or grants at this time.
The Action Plan has 8 action items under “Other”, including:
1. encouraging developments with flexible space to accommodate multi-generational
families;
2. connecting interested developers with experts in the management and operation of
affordable, rental housing;
3. providing guidance on planning and building approvals to developers, not-for-
profits, and other proponents of affordable rental, affordable ownership, and/or
supportive housing;
4. sharing information with developers about funding sources to meet our housing
needs;
5. advocating for the Province to establish a minimum number of accessible units
within a development;
6. advocating for school boards to waive a portion of the development charge fees
the collect for affordable rental housing;
7. establishing an annual monitoring plan that will update and review baseline data in
the Research and Gap Analysis Report, to ensure the City’s housing goals and
objectives are being met; and
8. consider adding a dedicated function, similar to an Office of Affordability, within the
City, the scope of work for which would include implementing the Housing Action
Plan.
Work is under way on the preparation of the City’s first Annual Housing Report. It is
anticipated to be submitted, for Council’s information, prior to summer recess 2023. In
addition to that report, staff are also preparing a Monitoring Report specifically on the
development of several of our Strategic Growth Area, including the City Centre
Neighbourhood, and the Kingston Mixed Corridor and Brock Mixed Node Intensification
Areas. The next phase of planning for the Kingston Mixed Corridor and Brock Mixed
Node Development is the preparation of a new zoning by-law, thereby eliminating the
need for site-specific zoning amendments. Development in the Seaton Community is
carefully monitored on an on-going basis.
PLN 04-23 February 6, 2023
Subject: Municipal Housing Targets and Municipal Housing Pledges Page 6
4. The Provincial Streamline Development Approval Fund initiative
In 2022, the Province provided grant funding to eligible municipalities, via the
Streamline Development Approval Fund (SDAF), in an effort to improve efficiencies
within development approval processes. The SDAF has been instrumental in enabling
the City to create the Pickering Resident Interface for Service Modernization (PRISM)
portal, which is an electronic dashboard, where information about building permits can
be viewed by applicants in real time. This project is anticipated to go live in the first
quarter of this year. The SDAF has also been used as follows:
1. to hire a Senior Planner, dedicated to overseeing the consolidation of our 6 separate
zoning by-laws to a single consolidated by-law, which will be accessible as an
on-line tool to everyone;
2. to hire an additional Geomatics Analyst, to relieve more senior geomatics staff in
keeping up with date base updates respecting new parcel fabric and addressing
respecting the numerous subdivisions that are being registered;
3. to hire two planning interns, dedicated to the Annual Housing Monitoring Report
and the Annual Development Monitoring Report of the Strategic Growth Areas; and
4. to ensure the staff hired under the program had appropriate, up-to-date laptops,
monitors, licenses to access and utilize necessary applications and programs.
5. Growth projections
The City is experiencing significant growth, particularly within the Seaton community
and in the City Centre Neighbourhood. The total number of proposed units for the
Seaton Community (at full buildout) is approximately 18,682 units, based on existing
plans of subdivision. This total is projected to be reached by the 2041 timeframe.
Furthermore, the City Centre Neighbourhood is forecasted to have an additional
4,310 units by 2031 (see Table below for approved development applications as of the
end of 2022).
Neighbourhood Units in 2022-2026 Units in 2027-2031
City Centre 1,203 2,433
Duffin Heights 1,104 1,007
Seaton(Lamoureaux) 1,826 1,654
Seaton(Brock-Taunton) 0 0
Seaton(Mount Pleasant) 150 300
Seaton(Wilson Meadows) 906 523
Seaton(Thompson’s Corners) 530 750
Remaining Pickering 1,614 1,021
Total 7,333 7,688
*Note that the unit count for 2022-2026 excludes units built and occupied in 2022
As indicated in the table, the overall total housing unit count is projected to be 15,021 by
2031, which exceeds the 13,000 target for Pickering.
PLN 04-23 February 6, 2023
Subject: Municipal Housing Targets and Municipal Housing Pledges Page 7
Note that the City Centre Neighourhood unit count does not take into account the
residential development on OPB Realty lands, which was just approved for a zoning
amendment at the January 2023 Council meeting.
Based on available information, and in consideration of forecasted growth within Seaton
and the City Centre Neighbourhood, and the City collectively, staff believe the 13,000
new homes target is achievable by 2031. However, there are many factors outside of
the City’s control that determine when a community will be completely built as per the
City’s policies and vision. One of the largest factors is the market conditions that
influence the housing market in a particular area.
The City will undertake a variety of initiatives to facilitate this Provincial housing target.
However, staff would encourage MMAH to obtain similar housing pledge commitments
from the building community.
Accordingly, staff recommend Council proceed with a housing pledge of 13,000 new
homes within Pickering by 2031, subject to the noted limitations.
Attachments:
1. City of Pickering Housing Action Plan, 2021–2031
2. Council Resolution #352/20
3. Council Resolution #790/22
4. Council Resolution #817/22
5. Council Resolution #956/22
6. Letter from the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing,
dated October 25, 2022
Prepared By:
Original Signed By
Catherine Rose, MCIP, RPP
Chief Planner
Approved/Endorsed By:
Original Signed By
Kyle Bentley, P. Eng.
Director, City Development & CBO
CR:ld
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council
Original Signed By
Marisa Carpino, M.A.
Chief Administrative Officer
Housing Strategy Study
Pickering Housing Strategy & Action Plan 2021-2031
City of Pickering
December 22, 2021
48
Attachment #1 to Report PLN 04-23
5.0 Action Plan
The Action Plan is shown in the table below. It contains minor textual changes from the
draft presented in the Phase 2: Draft Housing Strategy & Action Plan. It also adds a new
Action Item 3.8 as follows “To consider adding a dedicated function, similar to an Office
of Affordability, within the City, the scope of work which would include being responsible
for implementing the Pickering Housing Strategy & Action Plan 2021-2031, December
22, 2021”, in accordance with the January 24, 2022 Council decision.
Each action is categorized according to the following themes: policy, financial
incentives, and other. A timeframe and estimated cost of implementation has been
identified for each action and is shown in the table below. In addition, the table identifies
the gap from the Phase 1: Research and Gap Aalysis Report, March 31, 2021, that the
action addresses and the City department to lead the initiative.
The following provides information on each of the gaps identified in the Phase 1 Report:
•Gap 1 relates to the need for housing options for:
•Low and moderate income earners;
•Rental and ownership housing;
•Range of unit sizes; and
•Accessible units;
•Gap 2 relates to the need for:
•Primary rental market units of all sizes
•Protection of units in the primary rental market;
•Accessible units in the primary rental market;
•Gap 3 relates to the need for:
•Home ownership housing options for moderate income earners;
•Range of unit sizes; and
•Accessible units;
•Gap 4 are policy gaps related to housing in the City’s Official Plan that are the
result of new or recent changes to provincial legislation.
Housing Strategy Study
Pickering Housing Strategy & Action Plan 2021-2031
City of Pickering
December 22, 2021
49
Timeframe
Short-term
■□□
1-5 years
Medium-term
□■□
5 -10 years
Long-term
□□■
10 or more years
Action Gap #
Addressed Lead Department Time
Frame Cost
1.0 Policy
1.1 Add a definition of “affordable
housing” to the City’s Official Plan
which includes reference to the
average purchase price and
average market rent in accordance
with the definition in the Provincial
Policy Statement, 2020.
Gap 4 City Development ■□□ $
1.2 Add a definition of “Housing
Options” to the City’s Official Plan.
Gap 4 City Development ■□□ $
1.3 Amend the City’s Official Plan to
reflect the Provincial Policy
Statement 2020 requirement for
the municipality to maintain the
ability to accommodate residential
growth for a minimum of 15 years
(as opposed to 10 years as
currently written).
Gap 4 City Development ■□□ $
Cost Estimate
Low
$
Under $10,000
Medium
$$
$10,000 - $25,000
High
$$$
Over $25,000
Housing Strategy Study
Pickering Housing Strategy & Action Plan 2021-2031
City of Pickering
December 22, 2021
50
Action Gap #
Addressed Lead Department Time
Frame Cost
1.4 Consider amending the City’s
Official Plan to reflect the
Provincial Policy Statement 2020
option to increase from 3 to 5
years the minimum number of
years to accommodate a short-
term supply of residential lands,
subject to the outcome of Durham
Region’s Envision Durham
exercise.
Gap 4 City Development ■□□ $
1.5 Add new official plan policy to
protect existing rental housing
stock from conversion.
Gap 4 City Development ■□□ $
1.6 Add new Official Plan policy which
prohibits the demolition of existing
rental housing units unless the
proposed redevelopment meets
specified conditions.
Gap 4 City Development ■□□ $
1.7 Consider adding new Official Plan
polices to implement “inclusionary
zoning” in Major Transit Station
Areas, following Durham Region’s
completion of the “Assessment
Report”.
Gap 4 City Development ■■□ $
Housing Strategy Study
Pickering Housing Strategy & Action Plan 2021-2031
City of Pickering
December 22, 2021
51
Action Gap #
Addressed Lead Department Time
Frame Cost
1.8 Additional Dwelling Units:
(a) Review and update the City
zoning by-laws and Two-
Dwelling Unit By-law to reflect
the More Homes, More Choice
Act changes to permit
Additional Dwelling Units in a
detached, semi-detached or
townhouse as well as in a
building or structure ancillary
to a detached house, semi-
detached or townhouse.
(b) Consider allowing Additional
Dwelling Units in rural areas
subject to the capacity of well
and septic systems.
(c) Consider reducing or removing
the City’s parking requirement
for Additional Dwelling Units
located in areas well served by
transit.
(d) Examine other existing zoning
requirements that may present
barriers to increasing
Additional Dwelling Units
within the City.
Gaps 2, 4 City
Development,
Corporate
Services
(Municipal Law
Enforcement)
■■□ $
1.9 Ensure that the City’s Official Plan
policies and zoning regulations do
not present barriers to shared
living (co-housing, co-living)
arrangements in appropriate areas
as-of-right.
Gaps 1-3 City Development ■□□ $
Housing Strategy Study
Pickering Housing Strategy & Action Plan 2021-2031
City of Pickering
December 22, 2021
52
Action Gap #
Addressed Lead Department Time
Frame Cost
1.10 Consider removing or reducing the
minimum requirement for parking
spaces for affordable housing
and/or supportive housing and
allowing developers to propose
alternative parking space options.
Gap 4 City Development ■□□ $
1.11 Consider discouraging “down
zoning” high and medium density
residential designations to lower
density residential designations.
Gap 4 City Development ■□□ $
1.12 Add an Official Plan policy
requiring the submission of an
Affordability and Accessibility
Analysis as part of a complete
application for residential
development, subject to criteria.
Gaps 1-3 City Development ■□□ $
2.0 Financial Incentives
2.1 Consider establishing a corporate
policy whereby surplus or
underutilized City-owned lands or
buildings that are not required for
municipal purposes, such as for
parkland, are first considered for
development of affordable rental
housing.
Gaps 1-3 Corporate
Services, Finance
■■□ $$ -
$$$
2.2 Consider waiving fees or providing
a grant equivalent to certain
development application fees,
development charges, property
taxes, and/or parkland dedication
requirements, for affordable rental,
affordable ownership, and/or
supportive housing developments
on a case-by-case basis.
Gaps 1-3 Finance
Department
□■□ $$ -
$$$
Housing Strategy Study
Pickering Housing Strategy & Action Plan 2021-2031
City of Pickering
December 22, 2021
53
Action Gap #
Addressed Lead Department Time
Frame Cost
2.3 Prioritize and facilitate approvals
for projects which provide
affordable rental, affordable
ownership, supportive housing,
and purpose-built rental housing
units.
Gaps 1-3 City
Development,
Engineering, Fire
■□□ $
2.4 Consider establishing a Housing
Reserve Fund which can be
funded through a special levy
and/or Community Benefit Charge.
Gaps 1-3 Finance □■■ $
2.5 Consider undertaking a feasibility
study for a Vacant Home Tax.
Gaps 1-3 Finance □■□ $
3.0 Other
3.1 Encourage developers to consider
designing flexible spaces that can
accommodate shared living or
multi-generational living.
Gaps 1, 3 City Development ■□□ $
3.2 Consider connecting interested
developers with experts or
consultants in the field of
management and operation of
affordable, rental housing.
Gaps 2 Economic
Development,
City Development
■□□ $
3.3 Provide guidance to developers,
not-for-profits and other
proponents of affordable rental,
affordable ownership and/or
supportive housing, on the
planning and building approvals
processes.
Gaps 1-3 City Development ■□□ $
3.4 Share information with developers
about funding and other incentives
available to address the City’s
housing needs.
Gaps 1-3 City Development ■□□ $
Housing Strategy Study
Pickering Housing Strategy & Action Plan 2021-2031
City of Pickering
December 22, 2021
54
Action Gap #
Addressed Lead Department Time
Frame Cost
3.5 Consider advocating for the
Province to establish a minimum
number of accessible units or a
percentage of accessible units for
major residential development.
Gaps 1-3 Corporate
Communications
■□□ $
3.6 Consider advocating for the school
boards to reduce, waive and/or
defer their portion of Development
Charges for affordable rental
housing.
Gaps 1, 2 Corporate
Communications
■□□ $
3.7 Establish a Monitoring Plan that
will annually update and review the
baseline data set established in
the Research and Gap Analysis
Report, March 31, 2021, to ensure
goals and objectives of the
Housing Strategy are being met.
Gaps 1-4 City Development ■□□ $
3.8 To consider adding a dedicated
function, similar to an Office of
Affordability, within the City, the
scope of work which would include
being responsible for implementing
the Pickering Housing Strategy &
Action Plan 2021-2031, December
22, 2021.
Gaps 1-4
“The Action Plan consists of
themed actions – policy,
financial incentives, and
other.”
Attachment #2 to Report PLN 04-23
Legislative Services Division
Clerk’s Office
Directive Memorandum
July 6, 2020
To: Kyle Bentley
Director, City Development & Chief Building Official
From: Susan Cassel
City Clerk
Subject: Direction as per Minutes of the Meeting of City Council held on
June 29, 2020
Director, City Development & CBO, Report PLN 05-20
Pickering Housing Strategy Study and Association of Municipalities of
Ontario Report titled “Fixing the Housing Affordability Crisis, Municipal
Recommendations for Housing in Ontario”
Council Decision Resolution #352/20
1.That City Development staff undertake a study to prepare a comprehensive
housing strategy generally as outlined in Report PLN 05-20, with Staff reporting
back to Council in six months with a status update and a final completion study
report being completed and presented to Council no later than June 2021; and,
2.That the staff review and comments contained in Report PLN 05 -20 on the
Association of Municipalities of Ontario Report titled “Fixing the Ho using
Affordability Crisis, Municipal Recommendations for Housing in Ontario”, be
received.
Please take any action deemed necessary.
Susan Cassel
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment #3 to Report PLN 04-23
Legislative Services Division
Clerk’s Office
Directive Memorandum
February 1, 2022
To: Kyle Bentley
Director, City Development & CBO
From: Susan Cassel
City Clerk
Subject: Direction as per Minutes of the Meeting of City Council held on
January 24, 2022
Director, City Development & CBO, Report PLN 02-22
Pickering Housing Strategy Study
Recommended Pickering Housing Strategy, Phase 3 Report
Council Decision Resolution #790/22
1.That Council approve the Phase 3: Recommended Housing Strategy & Action
Plan, December 22, 2021, as the Pickering Housing Strategy & Action Plan
2021-2031, December 22, 2021, save and except that a new Action Item 3.8 be
added as follows “To consider adding a dedicated function, similar to an Office
of Affordability, within the City, the scope of work which would include being
responsible for implementing the Pickering Housing Strategy & Action Plan
2021-2031, December 22, 2021”; and,
2.That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take the
necessary actions as indicated in the Pickering Housing Strategy & Action Plan
2021-2031, December 22, 2021.
Please take any action deemed necessary.
Susan Cassel
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment #4 to Report PLN 04-23
Legislative Services Division
Clerk’s Office
Directive Memorandum
March 4, 2022
To: Kyle Bentley
Director, City Development & CBO
From: Susan Cassel
City Clerk
Subject: Direction as per Minutes of the Meeting of City Council held on
February 28, 2022
Corr. 14-22
Jake Lawrence, Chair, Housing Affordability Taskforce
Re: Report of the Ontario Housing Affordability Taskforce
Council Decision Resolution # 817/22
1.That Corr. 14-22, from Jake Lawrence, Chair, Housing Affordability Taskforce,
regarding the Report of the Ontario Housing Affordability Taskforce, be received;
and,
2.That Corr. 14-22 be referred to the Director, City Development & CBO for
consideration as part of the Pickering Housing Strategy and Action Plan.
Please take any action deemed necessary.
A copy of the original correspondence is attached for your reference.
Susan Cassel
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment #5 to Report PLN 04-23
Legislative Services Division
Clerk’s Office
Directive Memorandum
June 30, 2022
To: Kyle Bentley
Director, City Development & CBO
From: Susan Cassel
City Clerk
Subject: Direction as per Minutes of the Meeting of City Council held on
June 27, 2022
Director, City Development & CBO, Report PLN 34-22
April 25, 2022 Notice of Motion - Reporting of Affordable Housing
Pickering Housing Strategy & Action Plan 2021-2031
Council Decision Resolution #956/22
1.That Report PLN 34-22 of the Director, City Development & CBO, providing a
response to Council’s April 25, 2022 Notice of Motion – Reporting of
Affordable Housing, be received for information;
2.That Council authorize staff to report to Council, annually, on the results of
tracking affordable and rental housing within the City, including existing,
approved, and/or pending private rental apartment buildings, through the
annual Housing Monitoring Report, in accordance with Action Item 3.7 of the
January 24, 2022 Council-approved Pickering Housing Strategy & Action Plan
2021-2031; and,
3.That the appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the
necessary actions as indicated in this report.
Please take any action deemed necessary.
Susan Cassel
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment #6 to Report PLN 04-23
Ministry of Ministère des
Municipal Affairs Affaires municipales
and Housing et du Logement
Office of the Minister Bureau du ministre
777 Bay Street, 17th Floor 777, rue Bay, 17e étage
Toronto ON M7A 2J3 Toronto ON M7A 2J3
Tel.: 416 585-7000 Tél. : 416 585-7000
234-2022-4625
October 25, 2022
Clerk
City of Pickering
1 The Esplanade
Pickering Ontario L1V 6K7
Subject: Municipal Housing Targets and Municipal Housing Pledges
City of Pickering: 13,000
Dear Susan Cassel,
Our government is taking bold and transformative action to get 1.5 million homes built
over the next 10 years.
To help fulfill this commitment, we have announced and are implementing More Homes
Built Faster: Ontario’s Housing Supply Action Plan 2022-23. This plan includes a suite
of legislative and non-legislative changes across government that will help unlock more
housing, streamline development approvals, remove barriers, accelerate planning, and
further protect homebuyers and owners.
To support the new action plan, we have introduced the More Homes Built Faster Act,
2022, which, if passed, would ensure that cities, towns, and rural communities grow with
a mix of ownership and rental housing types that meet the needs of all Ontarians.
To achieve the goal of building 1.5 million homes, large and fast-growing municipalities,
including yours, are being assigned a Municipal Housing Target. While municipalities
have taken significant steps in increasing their housing supply, Ontario needs an
unprecedented amount of housing to meet current demand and that of generations to
come. Our government requires a commitment from our municipal partners to do their
part in providing housing for future population growth.
To implement the 1.5 million homes target I am asking the City of Pickering to
demonstrate its commitment to accelerating housing supply by developing a Municipal
Housing Pledge and take the necessary steps to facilitate the construction of 13,000
new homes in your community by 2031. I ask that you bring this letter to the attention of
your Head of Council so that your municipality is positioned to deliver its pledge to me,
the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, by the March 1, 2023, deadline. See the
info sheet attached to this letter for information and considerations in developing a
Municipal Housing Pledge.
Pledges will provide important information that showcase the strategies and actions that
municipalities choose to adopt in order to prioritize and accelerate housing. Our
government intends to use your pledges to monitor and track progress so we can
continue to play a role in supporting municipalities and removing barriers to housing
development.
Our government recognizes the key role that municipalities will play in implementing
Municipal Housing Targets through their Municipal Housing Pledges and know that you
share the desire to bring more housing to the people of Ontario. We are committed to
addressing the policy and implementation barriers you may encounter as you develop
your pledges and I encourage you to reach out to Wendy Ren, Executive Lead,
Municipal Policy/Program Collaboration, at Wendy.Ren@ontario.ca or 437-995-7094, if
you have any questions, comments, or suggestions.
I look forward to working together to increase housing supply for all Ontarians.
Sincerely,
Steve Clark
Minister
Encl.
c: The Honourable Michael Parsa, Associate Minister of Housing
Kate Manson-Smith, Deputy Minister
Ryan Amato, Chief of Staff, Minister’s Office
Joshua Paul, Assistant Deputy Minister, Housing Division
Info Sheet: Considerations in Developing Municipal Housing Pledge
The pledge is not intended to be a land-use planning document, and its development
should not require external technical expertise. The format and language used in the
pledge should be accessible to the general public. The pledge is intended to be
approved by municipal councils and should help codify Council’s commitment to
meeting their municipal housing target.
Municipalities can leverage new and existing policy tools as they develop housing
pledges and work towards their housing targets.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of potential strategies and actions that municipalities may
include in developing their housing pledges. There may be additional opportunities
based on local circumstances and the Province is interested in hearing about those
ideas and creative solutions.
Strategies to encourage and promote gentle intensification to enable and
expedite additional residential units in existing residential areas
Outline ways in which funding under provincial programs, such as the Streamline
Development Approval Fund (SDAF) or Municipal Modernization Program
(MMP), has been used to streamline existing municipal development approval
processes
Information on municipal development approval timelines and whether
municipalities are being appealed for non-decisions
Identify potential measures where current lack of infrastructure capacity (e.g.,
water/wastewater servicing) may limit future housing development
Strategies to use municipal surplus lands
Commitment to plan for, fund, and approve (where applicable) specific critical
municipal infrastructure to support growth and new housing (e.g., water,
wastewater, transit etc.), which may include expanded capacity as well as fully
new facilities/assets
Priorities for strategic and site-specific planning decisions to expedite housing in
priority areas (e.g., around transit stations and in transit-serviced areas)
Update zoning by-laws to permit a greater range of housing to be built without the
need for costly and lengthy rezoning applications
Municipalities may also consider existing tools such as the Community
Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator, Community Planning Permit System,
Major Transit Station Areas, and Protected Major Transit Station Areas.
Below are some of the potential components of a municipal housing pledge.
Municipalities are free to choose, alter, or add any new components that seem
reasonable. Pledges can be represented in the form of plain text, tables, charts, maps,
or a combination of them.
Municipal Housing Target
Planned and proposed Municipal Initiatives
Initiative Owner and Additional Stakeholders
Context and Description of How Initiative Accelerates Housing
Number of units per initiative and housing type
Considerations (Barriers, Implementation, Risks, etc.)
Potential Mitigation Strategies and Proposal to Accelerate Housing
Potential Reporting and Monitoring Measures
The deadline for municipalities to submit housing pledges to the Minister of Municipal
Affairs and Housing is March 1, 2023.
Municipal housing pledges are intended to be public documents and it’s anticipated that
municipalities will post them online.
Municipalities can contact Ministry staff with any questions and for clarification.