701: Making Room – New Approaches to Plan for a Diversity of Housing

October 02, 2019

3:45PM - 4:45PM

Toronto has experienced considerable growth over the past 10 years, with on average over 20,000 new residential units being approved per year. However, not everyone has benefited from this growth. The supply of affordable housing has not kept up with growth, and demand for affordable housing options continues to outpace supply. The City's rental vacancy rate hit a 16-year low in 2017, dipping to just 1% for purpose-built rentals. The City's shelter system has been equally challenged with occupancy close to 100% most nights. A panel of lightning talks will promote understanding of new housing approaches that encourage and ensure our communities provide a diversity of housing options across the income spectrum. City of Toronto staff will share their experiences and reflections on developing policies and zoning by-laws that aim to promote equity and address uneven growth. These approaches range from protecting and adding to the stock of housing and shelter options for our most vulnerable populations, encouraging new secondary market rental, and creating a unified vision for building laneway suites that add to the stock of rental housing in our stable neighbourhoods. Participants will also learn how to plan for housing options for vulnerable populations, how to create and encourage second units and methods for consulting in a collaborative manners with passionate and engaged stakeholders and advocates.

Speakers