At Owen Sound Council Monday night, two notices of motions meeting were presented concerning our current housing situation in the city. These motions, presented as follows, will be brought to council at the next meeting, February 28.
- Notice of motion by Councillor Carol Merton, seconded by Councillor Travis Dodd:
Rationale - Owen Sound, like other communities in Ontario, is in a housing crisis. This crisis is broad in scope, a complex issue and will take time to resolve. There is development coming to Owen Sound however there is an “affordability gap” between what developers can afford to build and realize a profit margin within the various human resource skills shortages and supply costs resulting from the pandemic and what the individuals can afford to pay. Municipalities have a role in “bridging the gap” along with County initiatives.
Housing and rental availability and affordability are strong economic drivers for growth and development in our city. The need for affordable housing has grown in scope and needs also to include the “missing middle” income groups and new immigrants to our area. This group brings the skill sets and human resources necessary to support our businesses, encourage industries and businesses to expand and relocate to Owen Sound and provide the health care and social service and business sectors with the foundations to address the needs of all ages of people in our community.
We know that Grey County has an active role in housing in partnership with non profit housing providers and community agencies to provide rent geared to income housing for singles, seniors and families. They provide supports to tenants to maintain independent living, manage the wait list for rent geared to income housing, administer Provincial Housing Programs and have a 10 year Housing and Homelessness Plan.
The province of Ontario’s Housing Affordability Task Force released their report this past week. While they make 55 recommendations, many directed towards municipalities, there is no plan yet for implementation.
We have a new Owen Sound Official Plan that comes into effect Feb. 15th 2022 that links to the Provincial Policy Statement, the Grey County Official Plan and identifies the objective to increase housing supply.
However, this alone does not address the growing spectrum of housing and rental needs. This alone does not support those service agencies and organizations whose financial and human resources are becoming increasingly strained from the growing demand. Grey County participation and actions does not exclude this city from rolling up our sleeves and taking a more active role locally for our municipality.
We, along with other municipalities and the County, have contributed and are committed to participate in a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. Housing and homelessness have been identified there as a significant top priority there as a result of public input. Research has been done and expertise already exists within our city staff, the service and support agencies, and those with lived experience of housing insecurity. This municipality has tools it can use right now. We can do more.
An Owen Sound Municipal Housing Plan, working within existing regulatory standards, can encourage change and innovation by using the tools and levers that lie within our municipal scope and decision-making authority.
What can we do at a local level? Here is a very short list of a variety of possible tools that municipalities can consider:
- Apply a “housing first” policy to use municipally owned surplus lands to accommodate affordable housing and rental units.
- Establish an Owen Sound Municipal Affordable Housing Reserve Fund or consider Community Bonds as financial tools.
- Initiate or expand and promote the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) program to support the creation of an Affordable Housing Incentive Program to construct affordable units and pass this affordability onto households in low to moderate income ranges.
- Develop criteria for short-term rentals in houses and apartments that can be used to house year-round residents.
- Identify parcels of land that may be developed by the City to accommodate affordable housing either short or long term
- Consider prioritizing rental housing unit construction in the application of any type of government financial support.
- Educate and support our community in recognizing the importance of density and change within neighbourhoods to include additional housing of all types.
An Owen Sound Municipal Housing Plan establishes the strategic framework for housing as a critical part of well-being, growth and economic development in our city.
If it is to be FOR us than it has to be done BY us alongside the County initiatives. We all have a part to play regarding actions to address the housing crisis.
I hereby give notice that I will move or cause to be moved, this motion at the next Regular Council meeting:
Whereas adequate housing is recognized as a basic human need and human right and supports human well-being and dignity;
Whereas improving the quality and availability of the full breadth of housing needs in our community whether home ownership or rental is a strategic necessity and catalyst for growth and economic development;
I move that this council direct staff to develop an Owen Sound Municipal Housing Plan consistent with the Strategic direction and objectives for this City in collaboration with key stakeholders and community service agencies.
- Notice of Motion by Deputy Mayor Brian O'Leary, seconded by Councillor Richard Thomas
I hereby give notice that I will move or cause to be moved, this motion at the next Regular Council meeting:
That the City of Owen Sound support Grey County's Housing Action Plan and directs City staff to work in partnership with the County to implement the actions identified withing the Housing Action Plan.
