Residents invited to help create options for more affordable housing

RICHMOND HILL – The City of Richmond Hill is asking for public input as it develops a new strategy to address current and future housing needs in the community.

The City, like many municipalities, understands there are challenges faced by those looking to purchase or rent a home in Richmond Hill. Geared towards middle-income households, the Affordable Housing Strategy will consider a variety of options to increase the supply of attainable housing in the private housing market. This could include regulation, permitting secondary suites (basement apartments), financial incentives for new construction and/or renovations, and more.

When complete in 2021, the Affordable Housing Strategy will provide guidance and tools for the City to work in partnership with the building and development sector, as well as the not for profit sector and other levels of government, to create more affordable choices for residents in Richmond Hill. Recommendations from the Strategy will also inform future decisions related to the City’s Official Plan and Comprehensive Zoning By-law.

Have your say

The City needs your feedback on options to create more affordable housing choices in Richmond Hill.

Join us at a virtual public meeting on Thursday, November 5, 2020 from 7 to 9 p.m. to learn more and share your thoughts. Register for the meeting at RichmondHill.ca/AHS.

An online survey will also be available starting November 6 at RichmondHill.ca/AHS.

Quotes

“Richmond Hill has fast become one of the most desirable communities to call home – with close proximity to a variety of transit and transportation options, award winning parks, an extensive biking and walking trail network and state-of-the-art community amenities. We want to make sure we are allowing for a good range of housing choices so future generations can call our city home, too.” – Mayor Dave Barrow

Quick facts

• According to York Region, the majority of new affordable housing units in Richmond Hill are studio or one-bedroom apartments.
• According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, households should be spending no more than 30 per cent of their income on housing costs.
• Based on the 2016 Census, more than half (55.8 per cent) of all tenant households in Richmond Hill are spending 30 per cent or more of their income on housing costs, while over one-third (33.8 per cent) of owner households are spending 30 per cent or more of their income on housing costs.

Additional links

RichmondHill.ca/AHS

Media Contact

Lynn Chan, Communications Advisor, lynn.chan@richmondhill.ca