2023 Housing Action Plan lacks a staff report and Multi-Tenant Housing report raises many new concerns

December 9, 2022

Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
Attention: Sylwia Przezdziecki, Secretariat

RE: CC2.1 2023 Housing Action Plan

Dear Mayor Tory and Members of City Council,

You, Mayor Tory, are recommending that City Council direct the City Manager to develop a “2023 Housing Action Plan” for the 2022-2026 term of Council to enable market, non-market and hybrid housing production in order to achieve or exceed the provincial housing target of 285,000 new homes over the next 10 years, and report to the Executive Committee no later than March 2023 on how this Plan can be actioned. In addition, you are recommending that City Council adopt the recommendations in the multi-divisional report from the previous term of council (June 15, 2021) on ‘A New Regulatory Framework for Multi-Tenant House’s, and approve the program implementation costs, and annualized budget as originally outlined in the report.

In our opinion bringing these two matters to City Council is premature. Each requires an opportunity for public input. The 2023 Housing Action Plan proposal lacks a staff report justifying the recommendations, and the Multi-Tenant Housing report raised many concerns when previously considered, which require to be further addressed, such as how will the new regulatory framework be enforced?

While we agree that there is a housing supply and affordability issue, and support the broad goal that new housing should be built and be available across a spectrum of incomes and needs, the issue has not significantly changed since City Council met in July. In our opinion, the proper processes of City Council, which allow for public engagement and further consideration, should not be circumvented, or recklessly cast aside, regardless of new powers bestowed on you through Bill 39. Such a process is essential to improve the plan and public understanding, and support and ensure confidence in Council’s decision-making.

We, therefore, recommend that Item CC2.1 2023 Housing Action Plan be referred to Planning and Housing Committee for consideration.

Yours truly,

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