Grey County agrees the provincial and federal governments must work collaboratively with municipalities to increase the housing supply and tackle homelessness.
It backs a call from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) asking that housing be a top priority for the 2023 provincial budget.
The association pointed out that Ontario’s per capita spending on programming is the lowest in Canada, $2,000 less per person than the national average. It blames decades of provincial underinvestment in affordable housing, community mental health and income assistance programs.
“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. As homelessness continues to rise, municipalities need more support from upper levels of government to solve this important issue. Grey County has committed to doing its part, and we hope the federal and provincial governments will do the same,” said Grey County Warden Brian Milne.
“Grey County continues to budget 1% of the annual budget each year towards the affordable housing fund. In 2023, Grey County taxpayers are contributing approximately $8.1 million towards local housing and homelessness prevention,” stated a release from Grey County.
As of February 2023, there are 1,284 people on Grey County’s waitlist for rent-geared-to-income housing. Of those, 1213 people are current Grey County residents.
Grey County currently operates 994 rent-geared-to-income housing units and supports an additional 550 units of non-profit housing. It also supports 73 housing beds with related supports.
Grey County provides rent supplements and administers the provincial portable housing benefit.
AMO warns Bill 23 limits municipal access to infrastructure financing, costing Ontario property taxpayers $1-billion a year. It wants to hear how Ontario plans to offset these costs for property taxpayers and reverse legislative measures that create unintended consequences.
“The provincial government’s belief that the housing supply crisis can be solved by limiting municipal access to infrastructure financing, eliminating environmental protections, or changes to municipal governance is unsound," said AMO President Colin Best.