DSD-20-150 - Inclusionary Zoning for Affordable Housing

Home Browse Search

REPORT TO:Planning & Strategic Initiatives Committee DATE OF MEETING:September 28, 2020 SUBMITTED BY:Justin Readman,General Managerof Development Services 519- 741-2200 ext. 7646 PREPARED BY:Tim Donegani, Senior Planner 519-741-2200 ext. 7067 WARD(S) INVOLVED:3, 9, 10 DATE OF REPORT:September 14,2020 REPORT NO.:DSD-20-150 SUBJECT:Inclusionary Zoningfor Affordable Housing: Background and Fiscal Impact Analysis RECOMMENDATION: THATCouncil Report DSD-20-150(Inclusionary Zoning for Affordable Housing: Background and Fiscal Impact Analysis)be received. BACKGROUND: TheHousing Needs Assessment prepared as part of Phase 2 of the Affordable Housing Strategydemonstratedunserved needs for affordable housing across the housing continuum for low, moderate and middle incomehouseholds. Municipalities have a range of planning and financial tools to supportand enablethe creation of affordable housing. Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) is a new tool that allows municipalities to require residential developments to include affordable housing units.When used alongside federal, provincial, regional and local initiatives, IZcanbe effective inincreasingthe supply of affordable housing.Inclusionary zoning is one of the actions included in the draft Affordable Housing Strategy that was received by Council in August. The provincial requirements for developing and adopting an IZprogram are summarized in Appendix A.IZ can only apply to multi-residential developments with 10 or more unitswithin Major Transit Station Areas (generally within 500-800 metres of ION stops).Prior to approving an inclusionary zoning by- law, municipalities must first prepare a housing assessment report to understandlocal demographics andhousing supply and demand.Kitchenerhas largely addressed this requirement through the completion ofits Housing Needs Assessmentpresented to Council in January 2020.Municipalities must alsoconduct a financial impact study to evaluate the viability of development under an inclusionary zoning framework. The City, in partnership with City of Waterloo, City of Cambridge and Regionof Waterloocontracted consulting firm N. Barry Lyon Consultants Limited to carry out a financial impact studyincluded asAppendix B.This work isbeing undertaken through the Kitchener- Waterloo Joint Services Initiative. Staffatall four municipalities continue tocollaborate on data sharing, analysis, stakeholder engagement,policy developmentand action planning towards common affordable housing objectives. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 2 - 1