Nine members have been appointed to a new Housing Affordability Task Force which will provide the government with recommendations on measures to address market housing supply and affordability.
Some measures it hopes to explore include increasing the supply of market-rate rental and ownership housing and reducing red tape.
“Young families, seniors, and all hardworking Ontarians are desperate for housing that meets their needs and budget,” said Premier Doug Ford. “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 homeownership.”
The Task Force, chaired by Jake Lawrence, CEO of Global Banking at Scotiabank, represents a diverse range of experts in not-for-profit housing, Indigenous housing, real estate, home builders, financial markets, and economics, according to a news release.
“Our government’s policies under the Housing Supply Action Plan are working to address affordability, but more needs to be done at all levels of government,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Housing. “The Housing Affordability Task Force will help our government build on our progress by identifying more opportunities to increase the supply of all kinds of housing, especially the missing middle.”
The chair’s report outlining the Task Force’s recommendations will be published in early 2022.
“Having a safe, affordable place to call home is an important building block in the foundation of success, which is why addressing housing supply and affordability is a key priority for our government,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance.
