Editor

The Need for more Substantial Funding for Affordable Housing

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The article discusses the growing problem of housing affordability in many U.S. cities, where rents are increasing faster than incomes, particularly affecting low- and moderate-income households. One common policy response to this issue is inclusionary zoning, which mandates that developers set aside a portion of new housing units (typically 10 to 20 percent) for affordable housing. This approach is often perceived as beneficial since it does not directly cost taxpayers, but it has significant drawbacks.

Complexities of urban housing markets and the limitations of simplistic solutions

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The article “A Composition of Fallacy” is part of a series on incremental growth, focusing on the complexities of urban development and housing issues in rapidly growing cities. The author, Chuck Marohn, expresses his confusion regarding the simplistic narratives and solutions proposed by various experts concerning the housing emergencies in cities like Portland, San Francisco, and Austin. He argues that cities are complex, adaptive systems that cannot be reduced to linear cause-and-effect models, and anyone claiming to have a definitive solution to these issues is either misguided or deceptive.

FoNTRA opposes proposed changes to Ontario’s land use planning framework

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FoNTRA, respectfully, urges the government to withdraw the proposed Provincial Planning Statement On April 6, 2023, Ontario announced new components of its Housing Supply Action Plan, which seeks to encourage the construction of 1.5 million homes by 2031.  Two key elements of the announcement are the introduction of Bill 97, the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, … Read more

ALO ALERT: Help Stop Fatal Blow to Agriculture and Environment

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Now we need to tell the Province there is widespread opposition to their proposed changes On April 6th, the Province proposed more destructive changes to provincial planning laws. On May 8th, our expert planning advisors finally finished their comprehensive review. Their conclusions are truly alarming: if implemented, the proposed changes will turbocharge sprawl therefore fatally harming … Read more

City of Toronto: Comments on the Proposed Provincial Planning Statement

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Province new policy directions are retrograde that favour flexibility for one-off decision-making and land use speculation The City report outlines staff comments on the proposed Provincial Planning Statement as itemized in the attachment. The recommendations contained in this report address concerns raised by City staff intended to inform the Ministry of the City’s comments and … Read more

Ontario Water Guardians urge retention of the existing Provincial Policy Statement

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The Premier has been unable to offer clear and consistent leadership on the Greenbelt The Coalition of Ontario Water Guardians seeks to maintain and improve water security in the province in order to help safeguard our ecological integrity, public health, social equity, and economic vitality. As such, we perceive an overarching need for a sustainable … Read more

Sprawl for all – anytime, anywhere? Ontario Nature says No!

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Ontario Nature Petition is Open In keeping with many recent law and policy changes that facilitate sprawl development, the provincial government is now proposing to replace the Provincial Policy Statement, 2020 (PPS) and the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (Growth Plan) with a new Provincial Planning Statement (ERO #019-6813). This proposal is deeply concerning, … Read more

Mayor Tory Announces Five Point Plan to Get More Houses Built Faster

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From johntory2022.ca – August 23, 2022 Plan aims at addressing the housing shortage and builds on Mayor Tory’s proven track record of getting homes built in Toronto Today Mayor John Tory announced his 2022 re-election campaign policy to help get more homes built in the city and address affordability issues. Canada is facing a national housing … Read more