TORONTO — The Building Industry and Land Development Association and the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) have released poll results indicating housing affordability and supply will be top priorities in the October municipal elections.
“If we want to truly address housing issues in the GTA, we need to take a comprehensive approach and that means being open to innovative ideas and change. Outdated zoning rules and other obstacles need to be reconsidered. The same policies will get us the same results, and that’s just not good enough anymore,” said John DiMichele, TREB CEO, in a release.
Key results from the poll released in a statement on Sept. 18 include:
- 87 per cent of respondents indicated it is important to build new homes in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) as a means toward addressing the issue of housing affordability.
- GTA residents across all areas expressed this importance, including those living in York Region (87 per cent), Toronto (88 per cent), Peel Region (87 per cent), Durham Region (88 per cent) and Halton Region (81 per cent).
- Those living in the 416 (88 per cent) feel slightly more strongly about the importance of new builds versus those in the 905 (86 per cent).
- Nearly nine out of 10 agree that municipal zoning bylaws should be reviewed, and changes considered, to allow for greater flexibility in creating middle-density housing types. Those living in Toronto (89 per cent) are more likely to hold this view than those living in the surrounding municipalities (85 per cent).
Opposition to new build construction increases with proximity and density, the poll said.
- 30 per cent say they oppose the building of a new single-family detached home within a half kilometre of their home;
- 37 per cent say they oppose the building of a new townhouse development within a half kilometre of their home;
- 44 per cent say the oppose the building of a stacked townhouse development (defined as middle-density housing) within a half kilometre of their home;
- 49 per cent say they oppose the building of a small condo apartment building (defined as middle-density housing) within a half kilometre of their home;
- 52 per cent say they oppose the building of a mid-rise condo apartment building (defined as middle-density housing) within a half kilometre of their home;
- 59 per cent say the oppose the building of a highrise condo apartment building within a half kilometre of their home.
“Last week’s poll data clearly showed that housing affordability and supply are key issues for GTA residents. Residents expect municipal politicians to tackle these issues in the upcoming election,” said Garry Bhaura, TREB president.
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