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City to consider affordable housing co-ordinator in 2023 budget

Amid 'affordable housing crisis ... bringing this staff person in to help cultivate (and) encourage affordable housing projects ... is really important,' says Coun. Jay Fallis
2022-07-20-affordablehousing
On the recommendation of the city's affordable housing committee, council will consider hiring an affordable housing co-ordinator during the 2023 budget.

As the cost of living continues to climb, city council has agreed to consider adding an affordable housing co-ordinator to the city’s complement of staff.

The position was recommended by the city’s affordable housing committee, and earlier this week, council committee agreed to forward the discussion to the 2023 budget deliberations. 

If the position is created, it will work with the city and the affordable housing committee to facilitate the creation of affordable housing in Orillia. A job description and business case for the position will be forwarded to budget deliberations.

Some of the projects the position may work on include:

  • Assisting with drafting/updating a new 10-year affordable housing plan;
  • Researching affordable housing policies to be considered for inclusion in the city’s new official plan;
  • Collecting data with regard to affordable housing and housing issues in Orillia; and
  • Recommending to council that they adopt a ‘housing first’ surplus lands real estate policy, as well as an expedited site plan approval process for affordable housing

The affordable housing committee’s report to council stressed the city’s housing issues have grown dire, particularly in recent years.

“Affordable housing as we knew it pre-pandemic is not what it looks like post-pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem of affordable housing,” stated the committee’s report.

“The affordable housing issue has now become an affordability issue. For most of the population of Orillia, housing prices have doubled and the costs to maintain a house (utilities, mortgages, etc.) have gone up to a point where residents in Orillia are now in real difficulties.”

Beyond providing affordable housing to citizens, the report noted that economic development and growth are at least partially contingent on affordable housing stock, and also highlighted that other Simcoe County communities, such as Barrie and Collingwood, are looking into creating similar positions.

“Affordability and access to housing continues to be a key site selection factor for employers who are choosing to locate and/or expand their business in the Orillia area,” the report stated. “It is also a key consideration as it pertains to our regional workforce and talent attraction and retention efforts.

“The need for a diverse range of housing options has been raised through various regional economic development initiatives …  it is important that housing creation continue to be supported through cross-departmental and intergovernmental cooperation.”

An additional investment in affordable housing will come on top of the city’s $2.3 million annual contribution to housing through Simcoe County, and the city’s current $100,000 annual contribution to its affordable housing reserve fund.

The city previously employed an affordable housing co-ordinator in 2010 under an 18-month contract, though the position was terminated prior to the contract’s end after a change in council.

Councillors Jay Fallis and Pat Hehn were hopeful that the incoming council would agree to create the position.

“I think it's a really important thing to consider, and it will be really important in encouraging development within the city, encouraging incentive opportunities and looking at different opportunities that the city can explore,” said Fallis.

“We're really in the heart of the affordable housing crisis, and bringing this staff person in to help cultivate (and) encourage affordable housing projects to flourish is really important," said Fallis.

“We've reached a point where where it's really important that we do have a point person on staff, and as the report mentioned, a number of years ago we did have somebody on staff,” said Hehn.

“It was so disappointing when that job disappeared because I think it was really important to have somebody that can look for grants, can see what's available and really work towards trying to help solve this problem," Hehn added.

The decision made at Monday’s council committee meeting is subject to ratification at Thursday's council meeting.


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Greg McGrath-Goudie

About the Author: Greg McGrath-Goudie

Greg has been with Village Media since 2021, where he has worked as an LJI reporter for CollingwoodToday, and now as a city hall/general assignment reporter for OrilliaMatters
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