Prepared for Councillor Adam Vaughan

Prepared for Councillor Adam Vaughan

20 Twenty Urban Consultants October 18, 2008

Trinity-Spadina Ward 20 Interim Report 1

Provincial Policy Statement

According to the Provincial Policy Statement, Affordable Housing is:

Home Ownership

Purchase price results in annual accommodation cost that does not exceed 30 percent of gross annual incomePurchase price is 10 percent below average purchase price

Rental Housing

Rent does not exceed 30 percent of gross annual income Rent is at or below the average market rent of a unit

IntroductionPurpose:

Explore the potential for affordable housing in Ward 20

Goals:

Housing DiversityHousing AffordabilityEconomic Diversity

Evaluate current demographics and housing

Review affordable housing policy

Evaluate international case studies

Presentation Outline

Ward 20 - Context

Three principles:

AccessibilityDiversitySustainability

Concept of Affordability in Ward 20

Ward 20 – Population by Age

Ward 20 & Toronto – Population by Age

Ward 20 – Age Distribution

Ward 20 – Age Distribution

Educational Attainment in Ward 20

Median Income in Ward 20

Ward 20 – Demographics SummaryThe ward is attracting many young people

Having a harder time attracting families

Affordable housing applies to households in the lower to moderate income levels who spend more than 30% of their income on housing.

Ward 20 - PolicyPolicies and Programs ReviewedProvincial Policy Statement 2005Places to Grow ActCity of Toronto Official Plan 2006King-Spadina Secondary Plan Review 2006Affordable Housing Program

Municipal Toronto Community Housing Guidelines Provincial Provincial Rent Bank Program RequirementsFederal Residential Tenancies Act 2006 Incentives

Housing Opportunities Toronto Framework 2008-18Grants from City of TorontoBusiness, Community Services, Housing, Recreation GrantsCanada Mortgage and Housing CorporationOntario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and HousingHousing Connection

Ward 20 - Policy

Guidelines Requirements Incentives

City of Toronto Official Plan Promotes:

Diverse, affordable housing stockLiving and working within the same neighbourhoodEconomic diversityPreservation of community servicesMultiple use school buildings

Ward 20 - Policy


City of Toronto Official Plan:

Restricts depletion of rental units by new developmentBY PROVIDING the same rental

Unit sizeTenureNumberCost

Ward 20 - Policy


Developers &/ Non Profit Organizations:

Conversion costs for housing units / buildings

Grants for housing projects geared to the homeless population

Landlord:

Housing ConnectionsResidential Rehabilitation Assistance Program

Ward 20 - Policy


Tenant Rent Supplements:

Housing ConnectionsProvince of Ontario - Roof ProgramProvincial Rent Bank Program

Homeowner Supplements:

Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program

Ward 20 – Policy Summary


There are clear policies and incentives

Policy statements align with the goals of this project

Opportunities to support general policy statements should be explored

Ward 20 – Case Studies

Case studies were examined to determine best practices in affordable housing.

Case Studies were selected based on their applicability to Ward 20, including:

Target housing groupImplementation tool used

Case Studies - Target Housing Groups

Low income households

Young families and young professionals

Asian residents

Aboriginal residents

Out of town hospital patients and their families

People who are considered “hard to house” due to mental health and substance misuse issues

Case Studies - Policy Tools

Public Private Partnerships:

Used to negotiate financial and regulatory policies leading to the provision of affordable housing.


Inclusionary Zoning:

Used in NYC to generate additional, and to preserve existing affordable housing units by providing density bonuses to developers during private housing development projects.


Partnerships Between Public Agencies:

Used to generate public funding for affordable housing such as the partnership between Municipal and Provincial governments and agencies.


Community Development Corporations:

Community based non-profit organizations that offer community programs and neighborhood planning services to a specific neighborhood or community. CDC’s often focus services and planning efforts on lower income residents and neighborhoods.


Collective Private Assignment:

A Dutch legal policy that allows the city to give away a dilapidated building to a group of residents who agree to pay for required renovations as shown in the DDV Rotterdam case study.

Questions?

Table 1 – Emory Davidge & Lawton LiSeaton Village and The Annex

Table 2 – Benedict San Juan & Diana GibbHarbord Village, Huron Sussex and University of Toronto

Table 3 – Pamela Tiller & Chris RossAlexandra Park, Kensington, The Grange, Queen, Chinatown and Baldwin Village

Table 4 – Josh Chitiz & Nikolas PapapetrouEntertainment District, Wellington Place, King-Spadina, Waterfront, City Place and Bathurst Quay

QuestionsMunicipal, provincial, and federal government documents define affordability as spending no more than the average market rent or 30% of your gross annual household income on housing costs.

1. Are residents in your area spending relatively more or less than 30% on shelter costs?

2. What is your definition of affordability?

3. What tools do you think would help implement or improve affordable housing in your area?

4 . What housing types are emerging or disappearing in the area?

5 . With respect to businesses, jobs, and economic sectors, what trends are evident? What is increasing or declining in the Ward?

6 . What is currently there now and do you consider the economic environment in Ward 20 to be diverse?

Ward 20 – Next Steps1. Exploring inter-governmental partnerships and public-private partnerships;

2. Discovering the best locations to create affordable housing;

3. Identifying ways to diversify the economy of Ward 20;

4. Compiling and rating a list of affordable housing strategies/tools;

5. Ensuring the provision of affordable housing through policy.

Prepared for Councillor Adam Vaughan

Documents