麻豆精选 City Councillor Luke Stack believes affordable housing targets for the city, set out by the provincial government, are unrealistic.
During a discussion of the city's Housing Act Plan at Monday鈥檚 (Jan. 27) meeting, Stack quoted a figure of 3,321 units over the next five years, or 664 units per annum.
鈥淔rom my many years in this field, that is an outlandish number,鈥� he said. 鈥淐ompletely unachievable. We haven鈥檛 got a hope of ever doing it.鈥�
Stack pointed out that 鈥渋n a good year鈥� the city might see 100 affordable units built.
Staff noted that the HAP does not specify provincial affordable housing targets as they are a separate piece of legislation that the city is tasked with implementing.
鈥淭he key here is that the provincial number is a target they would like us to try to achieve,鈥� explained Graham Allison, city planner. 鈥淭he legislated target is the total housing units. There is no legislated requirement to hit the affordability number.鈥�
The HAP doesn鈥檛 guarantee to hit affordability targets, Allison added. 鈥淐ertainly we have the freedom to take the actions we see fit to achieve the affordability that council sees as appropriate.鈥�
Stack also expressed concern over the city taking on the role of preventing housing insecurity.
鈥淚 sort of feel this is a provincial mandate, to be dealing with this at a high level,鈥� he added. 鈥淚 think we are stepping outside of our lane on this one.鈥�
The councillor added that he appreciated the new definition of affordable housing in the HAP.
鈥淏reaking it down by unit per month, per month is extremely helpful,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the questions we are constantly wrestling with, is what is affordable housing.鈥�
In November 2024, staff brought forward 26 draft actions aimed at achieving two key outcomes of the HAP; ensuring residents have access to suitable housing options, and maintaining a housing system that adapts to future community needs.
Council endorsed the HAP, directing staff to advance the objectives and action in the plan.
