Ontario’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy

During the 2007 election, the Liberal Party promised, if re-elected, to create “a long-term strategy for affordable housing that contains a mix of non-profit and co-operative housing.”

On June 3, 2009, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Jim Watson, announced the launch of consultations on the strategy. During the summer and early fall of 2009, 12 sessions were held across the province. Housing co-ops were well represented with co-op representatives actively taking part in all the sessions.

After the public consultations ended in the fall, the Province invited people to submit their ideas online by answering a questionnaire.

The Ontario Region submitted an in-depth brief that sets out the key issues housing co-ops are asking to have included in the strategy. The Ontario Region also took part in a consultation session with the Ministry along with a number of other sector organizations.

What are the next steps in the development of the strategy?

In early January, Premier McGuinty appointed Jim Bradley as the new Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Minister Bradley has said he will continue the work on the strategy and expects to release the strategy as originally planned in late spring.

CHF Canada Ontario Region is now setting up constituency meetings with MPPs to gain their support for the strategy and the concerns of co-ops. We have prepared a brochure for these meetings highlighting what co-ops would like to see included in the strategy.

A number of MPP meetings are already scheduled. If your co-op is interested in attending a meeting with your MPP or setting up your own event please contact Simone Swail at the Ontario Region office, 1-800-268-2537 ext. 238.

Check this page for updates on these meetings.

We understand that Ministry staff will hold one or more consultation sessions with key sector organizations to get input on the directions for the strategy that are starting to take shape. The Ontario Region will be at these meetings to put forward the issues that are important for housing co-ops.

On-line documents (CHF Canada)

A Place for Co-op Housing in Ontario’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy: Submission of the Ontario Region of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Jim Watson. (November 2009)

• Brochure, January 2010

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CHF Canada has prepared the following documents to help housing co-ops take part in the consultations.

• A place for co-op housing in Ontario’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy: A background paper for co-op members and staff
• Guide to the Province’s five consultation questions for co-op housing participants

The last two meetings of CHF Canada's Ontario members passed these resolutions on the Affordable Housing Strategy.

• Speaking up for co-operative housing in the Province’s consultation on its Affordable Housing Strategy (2009 resolution)
• Co-op housing and Ontario’s affordable housing strategy (2008 resolution)

See also:

• Pre-Budget Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs Legislative Assembly of Ontario (February 2, 2010)
• Pre-Budget Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs Legislative Assembly of Ontario (November 20, 2008)

Links to other information about the Long-Term Affordable Housing strategy

Housing Network of Ontario

A Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy for Ontario (The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing official Affordable Housing Strategy consultation site)

Housing strategy is long overdue, Toronto Star editorial, November 23, 2009

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