b'FEATURESince Chow took office on July 12,A FEW DAYS LATER, THE CITY RELEASED ITS ANNUAL she has been very visible on the affordable housing front. On AugustREPORT ON THE 10-YEAR HOUSING TO 2020-2030 9, she attended the groundbreaking for 725 new rental homes, including 507 market-priced homes and 218ACTION PLAN, WHICH AIMS TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY affordable homes on city-owned land at 5207 Dundas Street West. DevelopmentOF AFFORDABLE AND SUPPORTIVE HOMES.has been awarded to the Kilmer Group and Tricon Residential.The project was conceived under former Mayor John Torys Housingfinancial plan to address an estimatedMinister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland; Now Initiative, which, Chow said at the$46.5-billion shortfall over the nextImmigration Minister, Marc Miller; Housing time, is a great example of how strong10 years. It called upon the provincialMinister, Sean Fraser; NDP Leader, partnerships between multiple levels ofgovernment to approve new revenue toolsJagmeet Singh; and GTA MPs. She told government, the private sector, the non- such as a municipal sales tax, higher landCTVs Natalie Johnson that the federal profit sector and the local communitytransfer taxes, an emissions performanceLiberals Toronto caucus didnt say no to can help us build the housing we need. charge for buildings and the reductionworking on a new deal together.On August 16, the city awarded $21.5or removal of certain non-residential million in Multi-Unit Residentialdevelopment charge exemptions, amongDespite Fords widely reported pre-Acquisition (MURA) program funding toother measures. election concerns about the new mayors five non-profit housing agencies for theDespite the multiple actions approved byelection and Chows opposition to his conversion of about 121 private-marketCouncil today, we still need our partners backing of the controversial Therma spa housing units to affordable rentals.the Government of Canada and thedevelopment project at Ontario Place, Chow has committed to expandingProvince of Ontarioto step up for thethe two created a new working group support for MURA, which providespeople of Toronto, said Chow. on Torontos finances in September funding to not-for-profit housingand invited federal representatives to providers, to $100 million. join them. Time will tell whether this Chow would well remember the Mikeinitial warmth will translate into dollars September 16 found Chow at anotherHarris years, when the downloading offor Toronto.groundbreaking, this one for 57provincial services took a heavy toll on affordable rental homes and 256 long- Torontos resources, and she cannot fail term care beds on city-owned land atto gain an understanding of the federalIts still early days, says Mollenhauer. 640 Lansdowne Avenue. The non-profitscene during her time in Ottawa. NoWe are cautiously optimistic from Magellan Community Charities will buildsurprise, then, that she has alreadyan industry perspective that shell and operate the complex, funded withmet with Ontario Premier Doug Fordmake good choices, but its a about $8.6 million in incentives andand numerous federal figures, includingcomplicated process.funding from the city, $8.2 million from the province and $235,800 from the federal government.A few days later, the city released its annual report on the 10-year Housing TO 2020-2030 Action Plan, which aims to increase the supply of affordable and supportive homes. It called for commitments of a combined $33.2 billion over 10 years from various levelsCanadas Leading Supplier of Custom-Made of government. Window Coverings Since 1947. Then, on September 29, Chow and colleagues announced the acquisition through MURA of two small residentialDedicated Project Managers Knowledgeable Support Staffbuildings on Hotspur Road and Keele Street for transformation into affordableTrained, Experienced Installers Manufacturing Plant Located in GTAhousing. Wigwamen Inc. will manage renovations, with support from the city and Miziwe Biik DevelopmentToll Free: 1-800-663-9587Corporation. Email: info@west-port.comIn early September, Toronto CityWebsite: www.west-port.comCouncil approved its updated long-term BUILDERSDIGEST Quarter 3 202333'