Bringing affordable housing home: An action plan for housing stability in Ontario

It’s time to bring affordable housing home.

We all know how important a safe, affordable and accessible home is. It’s foundational to building a stable life – to accessing everything from employment and education to food and social services.

An affordable home is also out of reach for far too many in our province, especially lower income residents, with one quarter of renter households in Ontario living in core housing need and nearly two in five paying unaffordable rents. The devastating impact of housing instability isn’t limited to the wellbeing of individuals and families, this growing unmet need increases pressure on community programs and services, and other negative impacts for communities. The need and our shared obligation are clear. We must find a way to house Ontarians – all Ontarians.

That’s why United Ways across Ontario, in collaboration with our non-profit sector partners — Canadian Centre for Housing Rights, Ontario Alliance to End Homelessness, Ontario for All, and Ontario Nonprofit Network – convened 20 local consultations, drawing on the expertise of 400 non-profit housing leaders to develop a plan for action.

Non-profit and co-operative housing providers are uniquely placed to lead the charge in in partnership with the public and private sector in realizing housing options for those in greatest need of affordable and deeply affordable housing. And now, equipped with the seven solutions-focused recommendations below, they stand ready to work with all levels of government to deliver on our shared commitment to lift Ontarians out of housing unaffordability, precarity and homelessness:

Recommendations

Federal, provincial, and municipal governments make surplus lands and assets available to non-profit and co-operative housing providers to grow deeply affordable and supportive housing options across Ontario. 

Federal, provincial, and municipal governments increase investment in and improve greater access to financing for the development of affordable and deeply affordable homes across Ontario. 

The provincial government, in partnership with municipal governments, provides development incentives that prioritize non-profit housing organizations and establishes flexible programs that maximize the community housing sector’s capacity to compete in the housing market effectively. 

The provincial government, in partnership with federal and municipal governments, provides consistent and predictable long-term funding to preserve existing deeply affordable housing and supportive housing options offered by the community housing sector. 

All levels of government supply housing stabilization and eviction prevention supports and strengthen tenant protections to help renters access and maintain affordable and secure homes. 

The federal and provincial governments coordinate housing strategies, plans and programs with municipal governments while promoting cross-sector collaboration and resource sharing. 

The federal and provincial governments address and prioritize persistent housing and homelessness challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples through a dedicated strategy, programs and supports developed and implemented in partnership with Indigenous leaders, diverse Indigenous communities, housing providers, and all levels of government. 