Kincardine Municipal Council wants to look into what they’re working with when it comes to lands that could be used for affordable housing.
Councillor Mike Hinchberger tabled a motion for Monday’s council meeting, directing staff to come up with a comprehensive inventory of available land that could be used for affordable and attainable housing.
Hinchberger says the motion is necessary due to low vacancy rates, limited supply, and a lack of different housing options.
“I wouldn’t think that there would be anybody present that doesn’t recognize and accept that housing is an issue in the province of Ontario, or in the country for that matter,” Hinchberger explained to other members of the council. “The intent of my motion is that it’s related to attainable and affordable housing, not market housing.”
The rest of council supported the motion, with other councillors wondering if there was a set timeline for when they can expect such a report to be presented back to them by staff.
Hinchberger explained that prior to the start of the meeting, he had had a meeting with CAO Jillene Bellchamber-Glazier.
“She’d felt quite comfortable that administration could complete this entire ask within four months’ time, and probably would surprise us with an inventory of municipal lands well in advance of that.”
As worded in the motion, the report is especially important because the cost of home ownership and rental rates are climbing faster than incomes.
It also says that municipalities have a role to play in ensuring affordable and attainable housing is available to residents.
