Latest news with #sixplexes
CBC
23-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Toronto has 6 months to meet terms of housing agreement with Ottawa, minister says
Toronto has six months to meet the terms of a housing agreement with Ottawa, the federal housing minister said — a deadline that comes as the city risks losing $30 million in federal housing funds. Minister Gregor Robertson said it was "disappointing" that Toronto city council voted against allowing sixplexes citywide last month, which was a key condition of its deal with the federal government. "We need Toronto, as the biggest city in Canada, to be really leading the charge in solving the housing crisis we have," Robertson said in an interview with CBC Radio's Metro Morning on Wednesday. Robertson did not say whether Toronto risks losing some of the federal funding it was promised if it sticks to its sixplex plan, but he said the government will review its agreement with the city in January. He said he sent a letter to Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow this week that lays out these terms. "We've got six months ahead of us to sort this all out," he said. "Certainly, my expectation is that Toronto will respect the agreement and the commitments that they came up with, and we're going to see that delivered." CBC Toronto has reached out to the city for comment. Toronto on track to meet housing goal, Chow says Toronto city council voted in June to allow sixplexes in only nine wards and give other wards the chance to opt-in. In his letter to Chow, provided to CBC Toronto, Robertson wrote he was disappointed about the decision, which he wrote "goes against the level of ambition that was committed to in our Housing Accelerator Fund Agreement by the City of Toronto." "I will underscore the possibility of reduced funding if the City of Toronto does not present solutions that ensures the spirit of the agreement is met," reads the letter from Monday. In March, then-federal housing minister Nate Erskine-Smith warned Chow that any deviation from a citywide policy permitting sixplexes would result in 25 per cent less federal funding. That amounts to almost $30 million of the total $118 million that Ottawa has pledged annually to Toronto from its Housing Accelerator Fund, a program that provides incentive funding for cities to build more homes. Chow responded to Robertson's letter on Wednesday, writing the city is on track to exceed its target of building 60,980 homes over the course of the three-year agreement with Ottawa. "We are making progress on multiple fronts: zoning, building, cutting red tape, and protecting existing homes," she wrote in the letter, obtained by CBC Toronto. Chow wrote she has added a motion to city council's meeting on Wednesday to waive development charges for sixplexes "to make these projects more financially viable and easier to build." Some residents had opposed building sixplexes in Toronto at a city planning and housing committee meeting held in June before the council vote. One resident said multiplexes have caused many issues, including problems related to parking and privacy. Robertson told Metro Morning there is "a lot of misinformation" about sixplexes, which he called relatively gentle density.
Globe and Mail
17-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Toronto sixplex policy ‘disappointing,' Federal Housing Minister says
Federal Housing Minister Gregor Robertson says he's unhappy with Toronto's move to limit sixplexes, and that the policy falls short of the housing commitment he expects from Canada's most-populous city. But in an interview with The Globe and Mail, the former Vancouver mayor declined to get into specifics about how his department will respond to Toronto's action beyond saying talks are under way on the issue. 'The decision on sixplexes is disappointing and not in line with the ambition that we expect from Toronto,' Mr. Robertson said on Wednesday. 'My focus is working with partners at every level of government and using every tool we have available to tackle the housing crisis, and we need to see that from our biggest city.' Mr. Robertson declined to say whether he would follow the policy of former housing minister, Nate Erskine-Smith, who warned Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow that any deviation from a citywide policy permitting such buildings would result in 25 per cent less federal funding. On housing, Toronto fails a crucial test That would have meant about $30-million of $118-million that Ottawa has pledged annually to Toronto from its Housing Accelerator Fund, a multibillion-dollar program announced in the 2021 election by the Liberals under Justin Trudeau that's intended to create a greater supply of affordable housing. 'I won't share details,' Mr. Robertson said on the question of a punitive response against Toronto. 'We have some time before a decision has to be made regarding funding. That's the rest of the year to find solutions on this, but it's certainly disappointing.' In late June, Toronto City Council passed a motion allowing property owners in nine of the city's 25 wards to build up to six units on one lot without additional permission. The initial plan to allow sixplexes citywide was amended because of fears that it did not have majority support and would be shot down. The sixplex policy was one of eight 'milestones' in an agreement between Toronto and the federal government that promised the city $471-million over four years. Toronto Mayor confident city's compromise on sixplexes won't risk federal housing funding Ms. Chow had told a recent meeting with the editorial board of The Globe and Mail that, as a former mayor, Mr. Robertson understands the challenges raised by municipal politics. But Mr. Robertson was sharply critical of Toronto's move. He said there is a lot of misinformation about sixplexes or fourplexes that ignores the reality that neighborhoods already have multiunit homes that fit into their fabric. 'I think that this decision got made without the clarity that this is the gentle density we need in single family home neighbourhoods,' he said. He said there are many big homes with multiple units that would not be easily identified as sixplex units. The minister said fourplexes and sixplexes are becoming the norm in cities all over the world. He also noted that the the federal government has signed more than 240 agreements through its housing fund. 'We must see that leadership in Toronto. We're seeing it across the country in hundreds of other communities.' In response to Mr. Robertson, Ms. Chow's press secretary said the mayor has taken an energetic approach to dealing with housing. A statement issued by Zeus Eden said Ms. Chow has been a champion for middle and affordable housing by supporting such housing options as fourplexes, under certain conditions, laneway and garden suites and mid-rise apartment buildings on major avenues. 'We are working closely with Minister Gregor and city councillors to advance ambitious housing policy,' he said.
CBC
13-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Toronto risks losing $30M in federal funding after vote against sixplexes citywide
The City of Toronto is at risk of losing $30 million in federal housing funding after city council voted last month against allowing sixplexes citywide, a key condition of its deal with Ottawa. At its meeting on June 25, city council debated the motion to approve sixplexes in all parts of the city, but that was amended by councillors who approved maintaining permissions for fourplexes citywide while limiting sixplex construction in eight Toronto-East York district wards and Ward 23 (Scarborough North), where a pilot is already in place. In March, then-federal housing minister Nate Erskine-Smith warned Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow that any deviation from a citywide policy permitting sixplexes would result in 25 per cent less federal funding, which translates to almost $30 million of the total $118 million that Ottawa has pledged annually to Toronto from its Housing Accelerator Fund, a program that provides incentive funding for cities to build more homes. Gregor Robertson, Canada's new housing minister, has not indicated whether he will follow his predecessor's lead. In a statement to CBC News on Thursday, a spokesperson said the federal government is working with Toronto to meet its sixplex goals. "The Housing Accelerator Fund rewards ambitious housing initiatives from local governments, with a focus on reducing bureaucracy, zoning restrictions, and other red tape. We are working closely with the city of Toronto to meet these goals and remain ready to work with all levels of governments to tackle the housing crisis," said spokesperson Mohammad Hussain. Allowing sixplexes would mark a "significant milestone" in meeting Toronto's commitments under the federal Housing Accelerator Fund to allow more low-rise, multi-unit housing development through as-of-right zoning bylaws in its neighbourhoods, according to a report by Toronto's chief planner from last month. WATCH | Mayor Chow asked Ottawa for more funding to build houses faster: Mayor Chow asks for more funding to build homes faster in meeting with PM Carney 1 month ago Duration 8:25 Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow sat down for a private meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney. She tells Power & Politics she asked for more funding to 'build, build, build.' Last year, council decided to permit multiplex housing across the city. This year, as part of a pilot project in Ward 23, staff began studying the potential of permitting low-rise multiplexes with up to six dwelling units and with heights of up to four storeys. Based on that study, city staff made their recommendation last month that city council approve by-law amendments to permit fiveplexes and sixplexes in low-rise residential neighbourhoods across the city. 'Using money as a punishment' Alison Smith, professor of political science at the University of Toronto, said there are better ways for the federal government to help municipalities meet their housing targets other than cutting funds. A good solution would be housing-enabling infrastructure to ensure municipalities have what they need in order to build more homes, she said. "I think a better way for the feds to go about it would be to set municipalities up for success by providing an environment in which they can succeed, rather than using money as a punishment or as a penalty," Smith told CBC News. "The federal government has the money, but doesn't have the power to make changes," she said. "They can't just send money out and not get results, so I think the federal government is feeling the pressure to show that its investments are making an impact and are making changes." Coun. Gord Perks, who was pushing for a city-wide adoption at the council meeting in June, warned councillors that the city could be denied funding if it voted against approving sixplexes. "I've spent a considerable amount of time and effort working with my colleagues on council, trying to find majority support for doing what this council already committed to in 2023, which is citywide sixplexes," he said after the council debate. "But I've been unable to find that." Along with Ward 23, the following wards now allow sixplexes: Ward 4, Parkdale-High Park. Ward 9, Davenport. Ward 10, Spadina-Fort York. Ward 11, University-Rosedale. Ward 12, Toronto-St. Paul's. Ward 13, Toronto Centre. Ward 14, Toronto-Danforth. Ward 19, Beaches-East York.
Globe and Mail
05-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Toronto Mayor confident city's compromise on sixplexes won't risk federal housing funding
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says she's confident that $30-million in federal housing funding is not at risk despite council's refusal to permit sixplexes across the entirety of the city − a condition of its agreement with Ottawa. 'Look at me. Do I look worried?' Ms. Chow told The Globe and Mail on Friday at a meeting with its editorial board. In late June, Toronto City Council passed a motion allowing sixplexes 'as of right' in nine of the city's 25 wards. Those wards are in downtown Toronto, East York and part of Scarborough. As-of-right zoning means property owners don't require additional permission to build up to six units on one lot. The initial proposal was to permit such buildings across the entire city, but it was amended because of fears that it did not have majority support and would be shot down, Ms. Chow said. Earlier this year, then-federal housing minister Nate Erskine-Smith warned Ms. Chow in a letter that any deviation from a citywide policy permitting such buildings would result in 25 per cent less federal funding. That amounts to nearly $30-million of the total $118-million that Ottawa has pledged annually to Toronto from its Housing Accelerator Fund. However, the new Housing Minister, Gregor Robertson, who was appointed by Prime Minister Mark Carney in May, has not indicated whether he will follow his predecessor's lead. On Friday, Ms. Chow said that Mr. Robertson, a former Vancouver mayor, understands the housing crisis and the challenges posed by municipal politics. 'I don't think there should be any clawback because our new housing minister has been a mayor and he would understand that it's not that simple to push things through,' Ms. Chow said. Toronto wrangles with a simple question: What is a multiplex? Allowing sixplexes is one of eight 'milestones' in Toronto's agreement to receive $471-million over four years from the federal government. Ottawa is negotiating funding agreements with more than 170 municipalities. Previously, Toronto permitted the as-of-right building of fourplexes across the city, a policy that was introduced in 2023. Since that time, construction has been completed on 108 multiplexes. The federal funding is meant to boost housing across Canada by rewarding 'ambitious housing initiatives from local governments' a spokesperson for Canada's housing ministry wrote in a statement. Multiplex housing is a key feature of Ottawa's plan. Erecting such housing is attractive to property owners looking to turn a profit or homeowners keen on multigenerational living. The city's zoning changes allow for what's known as 'gentle density,' where an increasing number of people live more closely together. In her interview with The Globe and Mail's editorial board, Ms. Chow said Toronto's housing plan is ambitious, citing faster development approvals and eviction-prevention programs. 'I would dare say we're more ambitious than the federal government,' Ms. Chow said. However, not all agree. The city's housing approach is incremental, not ambitious, said Sean Galbraith, a principal at a private-sector urban-planning company. 'I don't consider these to be bold changes at all. They're not even co-ordinated changes across departments,' Mr. Galbraith said. Mr. Galbraith's developer clients are interested in sixplexes but high city fees stop them from building, even in parts of the city that now allow them by right. To build a sixplex for rentals, developers are charged between $63,000 and $68,000 per unit by the city, he said. 'There is currently a strong punishment if you actually want to do five or six units,' Mr. Galbraith said about building multiplexes. Opinion: On housing, Toronto fails a crucial test The suburbs surrounding downtown Toronto are in demand, Mr. Gailbraith said. The areas have larger lots, schools, shops and are close to the city centre, but these are also the areas that don't permit sixplexes as of right. Suburban councillors say expanding building permissions outside the city centre risks overcrowding and raising prices. 'Why don't we just ask the people what they want?' Councillor Stephen Holyday said during the city council debate. 'They're not satisfied with ramming through sixplexes in communities that were never designed to house them.' On Friday, Ms. Chow said property owners have been slow to embrace the multiplex and said she hopes to make constructing such housing 'simpler, faster and cheaper.' 'We really need to sell it. Three units, four units. It's already allowed. People are not doing it,' she said. In 2024, the city broke ground on 20,999 new homes, fulfilling 88 per cent of a target set by the provincial government.
CTV News
26-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Toronto City Council votes to permit sixplexes in nine wards
Toronto City Council has approved a motion that will allow low-rise sixplexes in a nine wards. Staff initially recommended that councillors permit sixplexes in detached residential buildings in low-rise residential neighbourhoods city-wide. 'Expanding multiplex permissions will increase new low-rise housing options for Torontonians. New residents in low-rise neighbourhoods can help stabilize declining populations, optimize the use of existing infrastructure, and support local retail establishments and services,' staff said in its report last month. However, during Wednesday's city council meeting, not all councillors supported the recommendation. Coun. Gord Perks, who is the chair of the housing committee, then put forward a motion that would permit sixplexes in the downtown Toronto and East York wards and in Scarborough North. The remaining wards have the option to join later. 'I'm moving this very reluctantly,' Perks said while presenting his motion. 'I've spent a considerable amount of time and effort working with my colleagues on council trying to find a majority support for doing what this council already committed to in 2023, which is citywide sixplexes, but I've been unable to find that.' Permitting sixplexes is included in one of the eight initiatives the city must deliver over three years under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) agreement with the federal government in exchange for $471 million. In a letter in March, the federal government gave Mayor Olivia Chow a June 30 deadline to report to council with opportunities and bylaws to allow more low-rise, multi-unit housing development across Toronto, which includes sixplexes. The letter also provided extended timelines for several other housing initiatives. 'As we work to ensure compliance with over 200 HAF agreements across Canada, we are establishing consequences for non-compliance. In this case, if Toronto does not fully implement the above initiatives and milestones by the newly extended timeline, the federal government will cut funding equivalent to 25 per cent of the annual payment,' the letter read. So far, the city has received $235.56 million of the $471 million. Perks said his motion would create some risk with its relationship with the federal government. 'There is a potential that funds that have already been dispersed in the City of Toronto could be clawed back, meaning that affordable housing projects that we already have plans for in the City of Toronto could fall by the wayside,' Perks said. He shared that some councillors spoke to their Liberal MPs, who told them that the city didn't need sixplexes. 'So, I say to the federal government, if you want, if you want to achieve this citywide, tell the members of your Toronto caucus to stop giving Toronto city councillors mixed messages,' Perks said. His motion passed. 'I am confident that, as more people see the benefits of missing middle housing, where average rent is $830 cheaper than condos and 65% of units are family-sized, more councillors will also opt in,' Mayor Chow said in a statement following the vote.
