Owen Sound council voted Monday to endorse Grey County’s Housing Action Plan after turning down another motion to develop a plan specifically for the city.
The resolution adopted by council also directs city staff to work in partnership with Grey County to implement the actions identified within its Housing Action Plan.
The county implemented an updated Housing Action Plan last year which includes several strategic initiatives to address affordable and attainable housing and more than 20 actions to accomplish the initiatives. One of the first key financial commitments county council made in 2021 was to support a plan to increase the county tax levy by one per cent annually to contribute to an affordable housing fund.
Establishing a housing land bank, developing an incentive package for rental housing development and exploring potential public-private partnerships are among the initiatives included in Grey County’s Housing Action Plan.
Owen Sound council voted to show its support for the county’s housing efforts after turning down a motion brought forward by Coun. Carol Merton in an 8-1 vote which proposed the city develop its own municipal housing plan.
“Today we know, that Covid-19 has amplified and expanded the need for affordable housing to include the missing middle income groups,” Merton says. “There is an affordability gap between what developers can build due to supply chain issues, rising costs of supplies, availability of skill workers and trades, and what middle income earners can afford to pay even for entry-level homes.”
According to the Realtors’ Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound the comprehensive average annual price for a home in the region topped $650,000 in 2021 — a 35.2 per cent jump over 2020.
Many councillors acknowledged Merton’s motion had the right intention but then proceeded to vote against it, mainly citing the fact Grey County is already undertaking this work and it would lead to duplication.
Coun. Marion Koepke: “Owen Sound is already committed to addressing the needs of affordable housing through the provincial county and municipality planning processes. Why would we not continue to take advantage of these opportunities through the county that allow us to afford and address the necessary housing and homeless needs for our residents, and provide opportunities to make improvements to properties in our municipality? I’m afraid if we don’t show support of what the province and county already have in place and try to initiate these efforts on our own, provincial and county partners will not look favourably on our intentions and our initiatives and affordability to provide these services will be impossible.”
Coun. Richard Thomas says Owen Sound is already doing a lot to try and address housing in the community, mentioning the development charge holiday that was in place from 2014-18, the city-funded extension of services to the Sydenham Heights Planning Area and the current development charge exemption for purpose-built rental apartments.
“We’re doing a lot as far as I’m concerned. Could we do more? I think we could always do more,” says Thomas. “But, I’m also mindful of the fact that council can’t always be all things to all people. We have a lot of responsibilities as a council.”
Deputy Mayor Brian O’Leary says during this term of council — 2018-2022 — Grey County has invested over $30-million into housing initiatives in Owen Sound.
According to a memo prepared by Owen Sound City Manager Tim Simmonds for council’s discussion on housing, Owen Sound has dedicated more than $5-million to affordable/attainable housing through community improvement grants, development charge waivers and the Owen Sound Housing Corporation. Simmonds says this is expected to grow by another $1.8-million in the near-term through additional development charge waivers.
The city has more than 2,000 residential units in various stages of planning approval. Simmonds’ report says 1,300 are fully approved for development.
Simmonds’ report also acknowledges finding a place to live is a struggle not limited to Owen Sound, but a broad issue in Ontario for a variety of reasons including low vacancy rates, limited supply and an insufficient mix of housing options.
“Association of Ontario Municipalities has stated in its most recent discussion paper that all levels of government must be part of a solution to achieve a housing strategy that will improve the quality of life,” Simmonds’ memo explains.
*Editor’s note: This story was updated from an earlier version to add more information.