Mayor’s Task Force Created To Address Housing Future Growth

Mayor Jeff Leal has created the Mayor’s Task Force on Housing and Future Growth to bring together developers and builders in a forum to look at ways to support the construction of housing announced on Thursday.

File Photo.

Through an initiative supported by the Province of Ontario, the City of Peterborough has been streamlining development application processes to ensure the efficient processing of applications according to a press release. The work has included consultation with the development community.

“There is an opportunity to continue to build on the work that has been undertaken, to move our community forward, together,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “We need further input from the development community on any other opportunities for municipal support and to consider barriers to accelerating housing starts that may be outside of municipal control.”

The Task Force will assist the City as it works to meet its target of adding 4,700 new housing units by 2031 – a target established by the Province as stated by the City.

The composition of the Task Force will generally represent a balanced cross-section of developers or builders with experience in different housing units such as new single-detached houses on previously undeveloped land, rental apartments, redevelopment or intensification of urban properties, and mixed-use commercial and residential development.

“The City will need a mix of housing types and densities to meet its growth targets and to meet the needs of residents,” said Leal.

The Task Force is expected to report to the Mayor on its recommendations within six months.

Many factors impact the creation of housing. As a municipal government, the City grants certain approvals often influenced by provincial or federal policies. Housing construction is also greatly influenced by the financial considerations of the day, such as the labour market, the cost of materials and interest rates.

Although the City generally does not directly build housing units, the City’s Municipal Housing Corporation is exploring opportunities to develop around 700 units over the next 10 years as stated in a press release.

The province approved the City’s Official Plan in April. The Official Plan establishes how the community will grow between now and 2051. The vision from that guiding document will provide a framework for managing how the new housing is added to the community.

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