City of Orillia takes steps to address affordable housing crisis

Orillia City Council is taking steps to address the affordable housing crisis.

At its meeting on Monday, council members approved changes to the City's Zoning Bylaw to boost the supply of affordable housing.

"Everyone deserves to be housed. These key changes to the City's zoning bylaw are significant in our first steps to implement our Affordable Housing Action Plan," said Mayor Don McIsaac

The Affordable Housing Action Plan outlines 30 strategies to expand affordable ownership and rental housing options. The plan targets individuals who can't afford current market prices but do not qualify for various housing services and subsidies offered by the County of Simcoe.

As part of the plan, council gave the green light to reduce parking requirements for affordable housing projects developed by government, charitable, and non-profit organizations.

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Additionally, properties at 66 Peter Street South and 53 and 59 Colborne Street East will be pre-zoned to allow buildings up to eight stories high, with development restricted to government, charitable, and non-profit organizations to encourage affordable housing projects.

Sites with existing Places of Worship will also be permitted to include a range of residential uses, again limited to government, charitable, and non-profit organizations, while adhering to the corresponding Official Plan for building heights.

City staff will move forward with other action plan goals, including raising awareness about the City's Affordable Housing Incentive Program and promoting funding opportunities available through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the County of Simcoe.

The City says a pilot program will be launched to offer grant writing workshops to assist non-profit and for-profit organizations in accessing housing incentives and grants.