Cutting red tape for developers, or a red flag for tenant protections?

Outraged by recent cuts to tenant protections and the lack of a plan for meaningful action on affordable housing, ACORN members will rally across Ontario on Thursday, January 17th to respond to the government’s housing consultation that ignores the needs of low and moderate income tenants.

The Increasing Housing Supply in Ontario consultation documents indicate that the government seeks to continue increasing powers for the private sector, in the guise of “cutting red tape”. This is a red flag for tenants, who have good reason to worry. The Province recently allowed unlimited rent increases on new units, despite promising not to touch rent control during their 2018 election campaign.

With almost half of Ontario renters living in unaffordable housing, tenants need more protections, not less. Stronger tenant protections, including rent controls, help people sustain their homes, providing security for tenants and landlords. In addition, when the previous rent control exemption, the “1991 loophole”, was in place, rental housing supply shrank and rents rose.

ACORN is deeply concerned by the government’s assumption that deregulation will increase affordable housing supply. Evidence shows that deregulation is unlikely to significantly increase supply and could instead increase costs. Instead, government intervention can lead to increased development in areas where services are already located, reducing the cost of public service provision. Clear rules for developers to follow could also speed up the development process. Further, the government should encourage the creation of a range of housing options, including rental housing for low and moderate incomes.

Make sure tenants have a voice! Join ACORN on January 17th to deliver 100s of submissions to the Province’s housing consultation!

TORONTO Where: Ontario Ministry of Housing: 777 Bay St. (meet at corner of Bay & College) When: Thursday, January 17th at 11:00am. Contact 416-461-9233 or torontofo@acorncanada.org

PEEL Where: Kaleed Rasheed’s office (MPP Mississauga East-Cooksville): 1420 Burnhamthorpe Rd. East, Mississauga ON When: Thursday, January 17th at 12:00pm noon. Contact 416-461-9233 or peel@acorncanada.org

OTTAWA Where: Jeremy Roberts’ office (MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean): 1580 Merivale Rd., Ottawa ON When: Thursday, January 17th at 1:00pm. Contact 613-746-5999 or ottawa@acorncanada.org

HAMILTON Where: Ellen Fairclough Building: 119 King St. West, Hamilton ON When: Thursday, January 17th at 1:00pm. Contact 905-393-5734 or hamilton@acorncanada.org