• According to the 2016 Census, Richmond Hill has the highest proportion of households experiencing housing unaffordability out of all the local municipalities in York Region. More than half (56%) of all renter households and over one-third (34%) of owner households are spending 30% or more of their income on shelter costs.

• In 2021, Richmond Hill Council endorsed an Affordable Housing Strategy, which, among many initiatives, recommended a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to implement a range of incentives to create affordable housing opportunities.

• Like many other communities in the GTHA and beyond, Richmond Hill has been experiencing the consequences of severe weather patterns and changing climate conditions, which include disruptions to business continuity, infrastructure damage, risks to health and safety, and increased financial costs.
• In 2021, Richmond Hill Council approved the Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP) that identifies “Efficient Buildings” as a significant opportunity to achieve the City’s net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target.

This phase focuses on generating ideas to inform a viable incentive program that the City can implement over the long term. This phase also focuses on gathering feedback from multiple stakeholders on the development of the CIP.

Meetings and Engagement Events

• Virtual Public Open House (7:00 - 8:00 p.m., June 18th, 2024)
  • Video recording of presentation
• Council Public Meeting (7:00 p.m., June 25th, 2024)
  • Video recording of livestream
  • Staff report and appendices

The final recommended CIP addresses comments received from and engagement with stakeholders, and provides implementation details that will support sustainably-built, affordable rental housing projects in the City.