Toronto's Mayoral Election: Make It Clear What You Mean by Affordability

TORONTO - June 14, 2023 - PRLog -- Toronto's Housing Crisis: Defining and Delivering Affordability, by Seyfi Tomar & Murat Üçoğlu
Toronto's persistent housing crisis has been poorly understood by political leaders, with a lack of definition around 'affordable housing'. As Toronto gears up for its mayoral election post-John Tory, this unresolved issue continues to be a point of debate across all political levels. A myriad of initiatives introduced over the past few years, from the approval of laneway housing to First-Time Home Buyer Incentives, have failed to directly address affordable housing successfully.
The concept of 'affordable housing' has become a campaign buzzword, yet politicians have not clearly defined what this means, nor how they aim to make housing affordable. Current measures, such as mid-rise buildings near public transit hubs, have been suggested as solutions but lack clarity on their specific location and the willingness of wealthy neighborhoods to accommodate them.
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is a potential solution, focusing on mixed-use developments in underdeveloped arterial roads. These would increase the area's density and vibrancy, reduce dependence on cars (83% of Torontonians use cars daily), and promote more walkable, bike-friendly communities. Such developments require collaboration between city planners, developers, and community members to prioritize TOD and improve public transportation accessibility.
However, the urgent need for more housing is clear, but the form it should take is uncertain. There is no direct correlation between supply and affordability, especially in high immigration areas, and issues such as NIMBYism in wealthy neighborhoods need to be addressed. Areas capable of accommodating population growth include Crescent Town, Woodbine-Lumsden, Danforth Village, among others.
Key obstacles for Toronto's housing crisis include the financialization of housing, NIMBYism in wealthy neighborhoods, and the lack of clarity on affordable housing. The discussion lacks clarity on achieving affordable housing through TOD. Balancing new development with the preservation of neighborhood character requires collaborative efforts.
Addressing Toronto's housing crisis necessitates a combination of transformative actions and gradual changes, with active community engagement and public funding. Mayoral candidates need to clearly define what they mean by 'affordability' and 'TOD', and outline how they plan to achieve these.