Council Endorses Strategy to Create More Housing Options in the City

RICHMOND HILL – Richmond Hill Council has endorsed the City’s Affordable Housing Strategy, taking an important step towards providing more affordable choices for current and future residents in Richmond Hill.

The strategy outlines a variety of actions the City may undertake, in collaboration with the building and development sector and other levels of government, to address the demand for attainable housing in the private housing market.

Some of the key actions include:

• Developing financial incentive programs to complement those of the Regional, Provincial and Federal governments, specifically targeted towards the development of affordable housing options
• Facilitating partnerships between not-for-profit and for-profit housing providers
• Improving the approval process for affordable housing (e.g., reducing the approval time for development applications committed to providing affordable housing)
• Determining opportunities to contribute City-owned land towards affordable housing projects
• Establishing a committee to oversee and monitor implementation of the strategy and advocate to other levels of government for support
• Creating policies and tools to support the strategy, largely through the City’s Official Plan and Comprehensive Zoning By-law

The City will begin public consultation on the implementation of these actions through ongoing and related initiatives such as the Official Plan Update. To be notified of updates and to participate in future public engagement opportunities, residents can subscribe to “receive email updates” at RichmondHill.ca/AHS.

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“Richmond Hill Council recognizes housing affordability is an increasingly pressing issue in our city – one that needs to be addressed both thoughtfully and urgently. Endorsing the Affordable Housing Strategy is a critical step forward and supports meaningful action to ensure Richmond Hill continues to be a welcoming, desirable and attainable community to live, work and play for the residents of today and tomorrow. "

– Acting Mayor Joe DiPaola

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