Whitby council has voted against implementing inclusionary zoning (which includes affordable housing) in the town’s protected major transit station area near the Whitby GO Station.
As part of the agreement to receive $24.9 million from the Federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) in January 2024, exploring inclusionary zoning was one of nine initiatives the town was required to complete by the end of 2026 (see below).
According to the Town of Whitby, inclusionary zoning is a planning tool that requires a portion of units in certain mid- to high-rise residential developments to be designated as affordable housing.
A staff report presented to council noted that “developers currently face significant financial hurdles in advancing new residential projects at full market value”, adding that requiring affordability mandates could further limit development feasibility and reduce housing supply in the area.
The decision, made during a March 24 meeting, was based on a housing needs assessment report that found the policy would be difficult to implement due to financial constraints.
The town stated that to implement inclusionary zoning, the planning act requires a housing needs assessment report. The town used HAF funding to retain consultants to undertake the report, which concludes that inclusionary zoning would be difficult to implement due to several constraints.
While council voted against inclusionary zoning, town officials said they will continue to explore alternative means of creating affordable housing.
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