Cities to gain new tool for affordable housing
At the Manitoba Legislative Committee hearings held on Tuesday evening, October 15, on Bill 7, to amend the City of Winnipeg Charter to permit inclusionary zoning, Right to Housing and The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives were among the groups presenting in favour of the bill. Right to Housing’s presentation applauded the bill but recognized that without action by the City, nothing would come of it. The presentation also questioned if the City had been consulted and involved in the drafting process and what if any incentives the province was offering to the City to make use of the planning tool. “This legislation will not solve the housing shortage for low and middle income households, but it is a step in the right direction.” The complete brief can be read at:
CCPA’s presentation was more detailed in pointing out the mechanics of inclusionary zoning, how it works and where it has been successful across North America. In summing up his presentation, Josh Brandon stated, “Finally, inclusionary zoning is only a small piece of the puzzle. It relies on leveraging the capital gains earned by landowners in a tight market where land is of limited supply. By granting zoning permission, municipalities may substantially increase a property’s value. This can be an important source of capital for creating some of our missing affordable housing. However, to solve the housing crisis in Winnipeg and across Manitoba, it is also necessary for all levels of government to step forward with funding. If we acknowledge that housing is a right for all citizens, then we must make the best use of every tool at our disposal to make sure every Manitoban has a home they can afford.”
CCPA’s complete submission can be read at:
Three submissions from Brandon were also strongly supportive of the legislation, pointing out some of the dire situations. that cities’ housing shortage is creating.