TORONTO — Ontario has appointed nine members to a new Housing Affordability Task Force.
The mandate of the committee is to explore policies to increase the supply of market rate rental and ownership housing; boost housing supply in complete communities; reduce red tape and accelerate timelines; encourage innovation and digital modernization, such as in planning processes; support economic recovery and job creation; and balance housing needs with protecting the environment, stated a Dec. 6 release.
The task force is being chaired by Jake Lawrence, CEO and group head, global markets at Scotiabank.
Other members are Lalit Aggarwal, president, Manor Park Management; David Amborski, professor at Ryerson University’s School of Urban and Regional Planning; Julie Di Lorenzo, president, Diamante Urban Corp.; Andrew Garrett, senior principal, real estate, Investment Management Corporation of Ontario; Tim Hudak, CEO of the Ontario Real Estate Association; Justin Marchand, CEO of Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services; Ene Underwood, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area; and David Wilkes, CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association.
“Young families, seniors and all hardworking Ontarians are desperate for housing that meets their needs and budget,” said Premier Doug Ford in a statement. “At a time when our government is hard at work building an economy that works for everyone, this task force will provide us with concrete, expert advice that will support our government as we make it easier for more Ontarians to realize the dream of home ownership.”
The Housing Affordability Task Force was first announced as part of 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook.
This will do nothing to make housing more affordable!!
Their mandate is to increase the supply of market rate rentals and market rate accommodations for sale.
I truly hope and pray this group acts swiftly and professionally so our provincial government acts within 2 months of announcement with at least 4 actionable tasks implementable within 6 months
– We are 1.9 million housing units short of our housing needs in Canada
– Ontario has 3 of north americas “LEAST” housing municipalities in North America (shame)
– Ontario red tape and process for housing supply is the longest in North America
– shelter is a basic need
– too many ontarians are spending too much of there income on housing hurting family well being, creating increase in mental health, reducing family domestic growth and destroying the dreams of home ownership
– we need action now