Housing Discussions in Oxford County Council Chambers

Thursday, 15 December 2022 at 05:43

By Brad Kraemer

Oxford County Council discussed the More Homes Built Faster Act and a new Master Housing Strategy during yesterday's meeting.

OXFORD COUNTY - Housing was a popular talking point at the first regular meeting of Oxford County Council.

Yesterday, there was a discussion regarding the More Homes Built Faster Act and a new Master Housing Strategy. Warden Marcus Ryan had this to say when comes to the More Homes Built Faster legislation.

"Frankly, I would say realistically, in the short term anyway, it's going to be fewer homes built slower. The intention of the bill is excellent, that we do need more homes, and we do need them faster. The reality of policy changes to actually make that happen is a different matter. In Oxford County's opinion, Bill 23 is not going to help to actually do that.

Ryan cited a variety of reasons including restricting their ability to deal with conservation authorities to evaluate flood risks and the staggering number of changes that could make potential investors and developers hesitate.

The act is also going to cost Oxford residents about $10.5 million over the next 10 years and an ongoing $300,000 per year afterward. That of course affects the budget, which in turn affects local services.

When it comes to the Master Housing Strategy, Warden Ryan called it a strong report.

"Housing is at a crisis point in Oxford as it is around the whole province. Our staff came forward with a Master Housing Strategy aimed at those people who are having a hard time finding any kind of housing at all. It's a really strong strategic approach to prioritizing the opportunities they have to combine county funding with provincial funding and federal funding and make affordable and attainable housing projects happen as fast as possible."

It also lays out specific projects and initiatives, and their potential financial considerations, that will promote the availability of “shovel-ready” housing sites, more affordable rental units, a supply of mixed-market housing, and ways to address core housing needs.