Stiles challenges Ford to say yes to NDP’s ambitious plan to build permanently affordable homes

QUEEN’S PARK – Marit Stiles, Leader of the Ontario NDP, announced her plan to build at least 250,000 affordable homes in the province while creating good, sustainable union jobs:

“Everyone deserves a place to call home in a neighbourhood they love,” said Stiles. “Housing is not a luxury; it is a right. But under Ford’s watch, housing has become even more unaffordable, and our housing starts are down. Our province is facing a generational crisis, and to fix that, we need ambitious solutions.

“This is why we are giving Ford and his Conservatives the opportunity to say yes – yes to the most ambitious home building plan that our province has seen in generations. Our plan, Homes Ontario, will get the government back in the business of building non-market affordable housing and double the supply.”

"Ford has the chance to turn this around today, and bring Ontarians the affordable housing we all deserve,” said MPP Jessica Bell, NDP Housing critic. “We’re offering a bold and practical plan to double the supply of deeply affordable non-market homes by getting government back in the business of financing and building housing.”

“If the Ford government can’t deliver the basics, they should get out of the way and let New Democrats build,” added Stiles.

BACKGROUND

• Marit Stiles and the Ontario NDP are proposing a massive expansion of permanently affordable public, non-profit, and co-op homes through their plan, Homes Ontario
• This plan will build homes for those who don’t have a home, for middle and working class families who have been priced out of the housing market, and for those struggling with skyrocketing rent
• Stiles’ plan will bring together municipalities, builders, non-profit developers, and the province to kick start the most ambitious home building plan that the province has seen in generations
• In order to ensure everyone can find a home they can afford, the ONDP's plan will provide grants, low-cost financing, public land and other resources to help public, non-profit and co-op housing providers quickly increase the supply of permanently-affordable non-market homes.
• In addition to Homes Ontario, New Democrats will make sure Ontario families are able to buy or rent homes they can afford in the neighbourhoods where they want to live, and are not excluded due to unfair and outdated planning rules. They will work with municipalities and homebuilders to cut red tape and legalize fourplexes and other affordable “missing middle” housing options in all neighbourhoods, and allow increased density as-of-right along transit corridors, as recommended by Ontario’s Housing Affordability Task Force