Housing Strategy Phase 1: Background Report
On February 2nd Council endorsed the Town’s Housing Strategy – Phase 1: Background Report (No. DS-001-22)(External link), in support of the Official Plan Review. The Background Report presents the findings on the current state of housing in the Town as well as projections for future housing needs based on anticipated population growth and changing socio-demographics to 2051. The Report also identifies preliminary recommendations to reduce barriers to provide a range and mix of housing and support affordable housing options. A video recording of the Council presentation (below) and the presentation slides are available.
Town staff and the Consultants will now begin drafting the Housing Strategy as part of Phase 2, which is anticipated to be available for consultation in March.
Housing Summit
The Town held a virtual Housing Summit on December 9, 2021 to discuss housing issues and opportunities in the Town. The Housing Summit was held to:
Bring the community together to talk about housing and all the aspects of planning that the Town needs to consider to support housing for all.
Present key highlights on research and background review
Discuss ideas and vision for housing in Stouffville
The Housing Summit included a keynote address from Avi Friedman, a leader in affordable housing in Canada, to discuss the future of housing in Whitchurch-Stouffville. A recording of the Summit(External link), and responses to the questions and comments are now available for download.
Dr. Avi Friedman
Professor of Architecture, McGill University
An internationally renowned expert on housing innovation with research focusing on factors that influence the design and implementation of affordable and sustainable building practices at the unit and community level, including market acceptance, construction, and resource efficiency.
Background
The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville has retained Tim Welch Consulting Inc. to undertake a Housing Strategy in support of the Town’s Official Plan Review. The Housing Strategy will assist in informing the policy directions of the Town’s new Official Plan.
The Housing Strategy will ensure that there are sufficient housing options in the Town to meet the housing needs to the year 2051. The Housing Strategy will provide an opportunity to understand the current state of housing in the Town, identify housing needs and look for innovative solutions through the consideration of a variety of planning policy and financial tools, incentives and partnerships. The Strategy will address the full range of housing including: affordable/rental housing, homelessness/emergency housing, transition/supportive housing, market rental and home ownership housing.
Phase 1 – Housing Background, Trends Analysis and Needs Assessment (Background Report)
Understand the key players and their respective roles in housing;
Identify current challenges and gaps in housing related to policy, regulations, and funding;
Identify the current housing trends and best practices at the Town, Region, and National level; and
Analysis of local demographic trends within the Town in relation to housing need and current housing stock.
Phase 2 – Housing Strategy Recommendations Report
Develop an innovative Housing Strategy based on the work undertaken in Phase 1 that addresses housing needs in the Town;
Develop housing objectives and policy recommendations to be included in the new Official Plan; and
Identify recommendations on programs, incentives, partnerships and tools to achieve the housing objectives
Content taken from https://www.cometogetherws.ca/housing
