Council's Task Force on Affordable Housing

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A photo of a magnifying glass looking at some small model houses next to stacks of coins.

Council’s Task Force on Affordable Housing is looking for opportunities to increase the number of affordable housing units available in Midland. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reports that over the period from 2015 to 2019 the vacancy rate for rental row-housing and apartment units declined from 3.3% to 2.0%. Over the last year the price of housing has continued to push affordable housing beyond the reach of many Midlander's, and the Task Force wants to see this trend reversed.

Municipalities across Canada facing similar challenges have taken action to fix the problem including:

  • Zoning changes to encourage affordable housing
  • Providing land to developers
  • Reducing fees and taxes

…all built upon extensive engagement with their communities.

In June 2020, Midland Council created its Task Force on Affordable Housing. The Task Force will focus on the segment of the housing market known as “attainable housing” – housing not eligible for government social supports. This segment is often referred to as the ‘missing middle”. The Task Force will work through Council to organize the resources needed to ensure that sufficient attainable housing is built in Midland. To do this effectively it must engage with the residents of Midland to ensure they have the information they need and the opportunity to put forward their comments and ideas.

Building housing and helping low-income residents gain safe stable housing will take decades. It will only be successful if it is supported by the people of Midland. We need your help. Please take a moment to review the information and provide us with your ideas and insights so that all Midlander’s can find safe affordable housing.


Council’s Task Force on Affordable Housing is looking for opportunities to increase the number of affordable housing units available in Midland. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reports that over the period from 2015 to 2019 the vacancy rate for rental row-housing and apartment units declined from 3.3% to 2.0%. Over the last year the price of housing has continued to push affordable housing beyond the reach of many Midlander's, and the Task Force wants to see this trend reversed.

Municipalities across Canada facing similar challenges have taken action to fix the problem including:

  • Zoning changes to encourage affordable housing
  • Providing land to developers
  • Reducing fees and taxes

…all built upon extensive engagement with their communities.

In June 2020, Midland Council created its Task Force on Affordable Housing. The Task Force will focus on the segment of the housing market known as “attainable housing” – housing not eligible for government social supports. This segment is often referred to as the ‘missing middle”. The Task Force will work through Council to organize the resources needed to ensure that sufficient attainable housing is built in Midland. To do this effectively it must engage with the residents of Midland to ensure they have the information they need and the opportunity to put forward their comments and ideas.

Building housing and helping low-income residents gain safe stable housing will take decades. It will only be successful if it is supported by the people of Midland. We need your help. Please take a moment to review the information and provide us with your ideas and insights so that all Midlander’s can find safe affordable housing.


Q&A's

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    What is the plan help recent graduates who can no longer afford to live in our hometown? Rent prices have gone up to the point of making it very very difficult to save for a down payment, especially if dealing with student loan payments at the same time. The only way for young people to avoid this hamster wheel is if they have wealthier parents who helped them through school to avoid large student loans, or who can help with a downpayment. Unfortunately, this reality only further increases the disparities between the wealthy and poor in our communities, disportionatly impacting young adults from racialized and minority communities, including low-income families.

    S asked 17 days ago

    The rapidly escalating price of housing has indeed resulted in many people being priced out of the housing market. Since the Town has few tools to help with household income or financing, it has focussed on the supply side – that is providing more housing that is affordable. This long-term undertaking will enhance the ability of Midlanders like yourself to access affordable housing.

    Gord McKay

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    How will the task force address the issue of problem tenants and delays with the Landlord Tenant Board? Many landlords have been left holding the bag for months on end during COVID and are selling properties to get away from the headache of tenancy in Ontario. I would not recommend renting in Ontario until the investment is worth it

    LG asked 17 days ago

    The Task Force is not addressing the challenges of tenant-landlord issues or the operations of the Landlord Tenant Board. While aware of the importance of these issues, the Task Force does not have the resources or mandate to get involved. As the Task Force advises Council on delivering more affordable housing units, it will be mindful of ways to mitigate tenancy problems.

    Gord McKay

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    Good morning, just a few questions with respect to the Town’s Affordable Housing Project 1) what are the current challenges? 2) are any of the individuals in need of affordable housing being ask to be apart of the task force? - people indeed should have a sense of pride of their residence and be apart of this project so they can advise of their current challenges 3) What is the Town’s vision of the project? Does it involve any environmental/sustainability/community initiatives? During my covid19 lockdown I have been watching a lot of documentaries on affordable living projects from around the world to get insight not only for my own ADU building project but for better community building/living ideas.

    Erica asked 18 days ago

    1. What are the current challenges? 
    The primary challenges facing this initiative are identified in the Town’s Strategic Plan (available at www.midland.ca). Council is looking for effective ways to encourage the development of accessible and affordable housing while ensuring that the results justify the financial commitment. Operationally, the Task Force needs to find the necessary financial resources, locate interested partners and promote the regulations required to deliver quality affordable housing. The good news is that the Task Force has the strong support of Midland Council and staff.

    2. Are any of the individuals in need of affordable housing being asked to be apart of the task force? - people indeed should have a sense of pride of their residence and be apart of this project so they can advise of their current challenges 
    At this time the Task Force includes both political representatives and subject matter experts who are focusing on exploring new service delivery models that Council could adopt. In its work the Task Force has contacted local agencies involved in shelter, transitional and supportive housing for their views and support Council has made a commitment to engage its citizens in all aspects of this initiative as it evolves.  

    3. What is the Town’s vision of the project? Does it involve any environmental/sustainability/community initiatives? 
    At the current time the Town’s vision is contained in two documents available on the Engaging Midland Site:

    1. Task Force Terms of Reference; and 
    2. Business Case for Building More Attainable Housing in Midland.
       

    The Task Force is aware of many excellent housing initiatives that incorporate the features that you mention. It is Council’s desire that any of its efforts being undertaken through the Task Force will meet its objectives of building a Safe, Sustainable and Healthy Community.

    Gord McKay

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    Will be possible that people, specially from GTA, to buy a house just to put on the market for rental? It's happening now and is totally unfare

    Ed asked 17 days ago

    The general housing market is a public market that allows people to buy and sell properties with limited government intervention. Where housing is provided by a public agency or private organization, certain restrictions can be imposed subject to human rights restrictions. The Task Force will make recommendations that respect the laws that apply to housing while ensuring that the needs of the residents of Midland are a top priority.

    Gord McKay

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    What is council's present plan?

    Carol macDonald asked 18 days ago

    Council has provided Development Charge exemptions for affordable housing, transitional housing and supportive housing built by not-for profit organizations. It has modified its planning requirements so new developments have to have at least 10% affordable units. Council has also acquired lands with the express purpose of providing land for building attainable / affordable housing in partnership with senior levels of government and the private sector. Most recently Council created the Affordable Housing Task Force to provide advice and recommendations to Council on a wide range of housing related activities, including looking at opportunities to repurpose surplus Town lands. Council approved the new Official Plan and has budgeted for a new Zoning Bylaw review to make the planning environment more supportive for affordable housing development within the Town’s boundaries.

    Gord McKay

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    What is being done about the lack of housing or even affordable housing ?

    Toni asked 18 days ago

    In Simcoe County and specifically in Midland, many government agencies and private companies are involved in building more housing. The primary developer of housing is the private sector that responds to the needs it sees in the market. The second major housing developer is the County of Simcoe that is provincially mandated to oversee the provision of housing, especially social housing for the County. The County provides housing to meet its own objectives as well as funnels funding from the province and federal governments to other social agencies to deliver housing. The Rosewood Women’s Shelter is a local example of this. Midland Council has recently engaged in housing development through its Task Force on Affordable Housing. The Task Force’s initial focus is to provide advice and recommendations to Council on affordable housing activity, including looking at opportunities to repurpose surplus Town lands, improving the planning environment and to be supportive of affordable housing development.

    For further information please visit the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation website at https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/

    Gord McKay