[homeles_ot-l] WI backgrounder: Three key housing facts - Ontario has highest housing costs, lowest provincial housing investment, worst municipal downloading

[Michael Shapcott]

As the Ontario government's province-wide consultations for a
comprehensive provincial housing plan open the first of three sessions
in Toronto this evening, here are three housing facts to consider:

Highest housing costs: Ontario has the highest housing costs of any
province (median household shelter costs of $10,878, according to
Statistics Canada). One in every three Toronto households spends 30% or
more of their income on housing - the worst record among metropolitan
areas across Canada. High housing costs for low, moderate and
middle-income households means less money for other necessities such as
food, medicine, energy, childcare, transportation, clothing,
education... High housing costs are the single biggest reason why more
than one million people were forced to line-up at Toronto's food banks
last year (Source: Daily Bread Food Bank).

Lowest provincial investment: Ontario has the worst record among all the
provinces in terms of affordable housing investments. In the fiscal year
ending March 31, 2009, Ontario spent $64 per capita on affordable
housing, about half the provincial average of $115 per person (source:
Wellesley Institute calculation based on Statistics Canada Government
Revenue and Expenditures database). At the head of the provincial pack
are Saskatchewan ($214 per capita - almost three and one-half times
greater than Ontario), Nova Scotia ($175) and Alberta ($154). On March
12, 2009, the Alberta government announced a $3.2 billion, 10-year
housing plan. Ontario's housing plan is not expected until late 2010 or
2011.

Biggest municipal downloading: Ontario, more than any other Canadian
province, downloaded the cost of affordable housing to local government.
In the most recent fiscal year, the provincial government invested $829
million in affordable housing - only two-thirds of the $1.3 billion
invested by municipalities (source: Statistics Canada Government Revenue
and Expenditures database). Cash-strapped Ontario municipalities have
limited revenues sources (mostly property taxes, grants from senior
governments and fees), which means that there's little ability on the
part of municipal governments to grow housing investments to meet the
growing housing needs across the province.

The Housing Network of Ontario has an on-line hub
<http://tinyurl.com/nspnrm>  with detailed information about the Ontario
housing consultations. The official Ontario government consultation site
is here <http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page6395.aspx> .

-          Michael 

 

***

 

Michael Shapcott | Director, Affordable Housing and Social Innovation |
Wellesley Institute 

45 Charles St E, Suite 101                    Tel: 416.972.1010 ext 231
Toronto, ON, Canada,  M4Y 1S2           Mobile: 416.605.8316  
E-mail:   michael at wellesleyinstitute.com

 

www.wellesleyinstitute.com

rigorous research. pragmatic policy solutions. social innovation.
community action.

 

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