Inclusionary Zoning for Affordable Housing Study

Why is Inclusionary Zoning Important?

The City is growing. We know that it can be a challenging to find affordable housing within Mississauga. In 2020, we saw that:

70% of households couldn't purchase any type of housing without spending >30% of their household income.

Only 10% of the population could afford a detached dwelling with an average price of over $1.2 Million.

Renter households are having difficulty finding housing that suits their needs.


The cost of housing continues to rise. The cost of housing continues to rise.

We've also seen how this affects the City's ability to balance growth, support the workforce and achieve complete communities.

Since the adoption of Making Room for the Middle – A Housing Strategy for Mississauga in 2017, the City has been working collaboratively with the Region of Peel to develop tools to improve housing affordability in Mississauga.

Inclusionary Zoning is one such tool.

It allows the City to require a portion of new units in future developments located in protected major transit areas to be provided at affordable rates. Inclusionary Zoning could help to bring more affordable housing units to the City over the long term.


Stay Involved

Sign-up Stay up-to-date on all things related to the project by subscribing above to stay informed.

If you wish to mail your comments, please send them to:

Catherine Parsons, City Planning Strategies, 7th FL - Planning and Building, City of Mississauga, 300 City Centre Dr, Mississauga, ON L5B 3C1.

Why is Inclusionary Zoning Important?

The City is growing. We know that it can be a challenging to find affordable housing within Mississauga. In 2020, we saw that:

70% of households couldn't purchase any type of housing without spending >30% of their household income.

Only 10% of the population could afford a detached dwelling with an average price of over $1.2 Million.

Renter households are having difficulty finding housing that suits their needs.


The cost of housing continues to rise. The cost of housing continues to rise.

We've also seen how this affects the City's ability to balance growth, support the workforce and achieve complete communities.

Since the adoption of Making Room for the Middle – A Housing Strategy for Mississauga in 2017, the City has been working collaboratively with the Region of Peel to develop tools to improve housing affordability in Mississauga.

Inclusionary Zoning is one such tool.

It allows the City to require a portion of new units in future developments located in protected major transit areas to be provided at affordable rates. Inclusionary Zoning could help to bring more affordable housing units to the City over the long term.


Stay Involved

Sign-up Stay up-to-date on all things related to the project by subscribing above to stay informed.

If you wish to mail your comments, please send them to:

Catherine Parsons, City Planning Strategies, 7th FL - Planning and Building, City of Mississauga, 300 City Centre Dr, Mississauga, ON L5B 3C1.

Discussions: All (10) Open (10)
  • You need to be signed in to add your comment.

    Recently, the Province announced potential changes to Ontario Regulation 232/18, which guides how municipalities can implement Inclusionary Zoning (IZ). As a past participant in the City’s IZ study, we wanted to ensure you are aware of the proposed changes and how to provide feedback to the Province.

    In the table below, we have developed a comparison of Mississauga's current policies and the proposed provincial regulatory changes.

    The Province is accepting comments from members of the public on the proposed changes until December 9, 2022. 

    To read more about these changes and share your feedback with the Province, see Environmental Registry of Ontario Notice #019-6173: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-6173

    The current IZ Ontario Regulation 232/18 can be accessed here: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/180232  

    City staff  have prepared a corporate report in response to the proposed legislation titled Bill 23 "More Homes Built Faster Act" and Implications for the City of Mississauga.  It will be reviewed at a Special Council meeting on November 23 at 9:30 a.m.  You can read a copy of the report here.

    For more information from City Staff, please contact:

    Catherine Parsons, MCIP, RPP

    Planner, Planning Innovation, Planning and Building Department

    T 905-615-3200 ext. 8409

    catherine.parsons@mississauga.ca

    Table 1: Comparison of Mississauga’s IZ Policies vs. Proposed Provincial Regulation Changes

    Policy Area

    Mississauga’s Inclusionary Zoning Official Plan Policy (August 10, 2022)

    Proposed Change to Provincial Regulation O.Reg. 232/18

    Set-aside Rate:  The percentage of units or the percentage of the residential area in a development that is required to be “set-aside” as affordable housing.

     

    After an initial phase-in period, Mississauga’s Official Plan requires set-aside rates that range from 5% to 10% depending on the location in the city.  

    Currently, there is no upper limit to the set-aside rate in the Provincial Regulation.  The Province is proposing to limit the maximum set-aside rate a municipality can require to 5%.  

    Affordable Price and Affordable Rent:  The price or rent at which an affordable unit must be sold or rented.

    Mississauga’s current Official Plan policies indicate that housing is affordable if it costs no more than 30% of gross annual household income.  The IZ policy is targeted to housing for moderate-income households.  

    • For affordable ownership units, this equates to prices that are no greater than about 50% to 60% of resale market prices.
    • For affordable rental units, this equates to rents that are no greater than Average Market Rent as established by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). 

    Currently, there are no price/rent requirements in the Provincial Regulation.     Other Provincial policy documents define affordability as housing that costs no more than 30% of gross annual household income.  

     

    The Province is proposing to require that municipalities cannot set the affordable price any lower than 80% of resale prices for ownership units 

     

    The Province is proposing to require that municipalities cannot set the affordable rent any lower than 80% of Average Market Rent for rental units. 

    Affordability Term: The length of time an affordable housing unit is required to remain affordable.  

    Currently, ownership units must stay affordable for 99 years and rental units must stay affordable for 25 years (plus a 5-year phase out).  

    The current Provincial Regulations do not set any limits to the affordability term.  The Province is proposing to change the regulation so that the maximum affordability period a municipality can require is 25 years.  

     

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    On August 10, 2022 Mississauga City Council adopted Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) Official Plan policies and zoning provisions, which will help get more affordable housing built across the City. 

    IZ is a tool that allows the City to require affordable housing units in certain new housing developments. Mississauga’s IZ policy will apply to larger development located in certain Major Transit Station Areas across the City. Once built, the new units will remain affordable over time.

    Please see the notice of passing here.

    If you have questions, or would like to share comments and concerns, you can also email Catherine.Parsons@mississauga.ca.

    Thank you for your ongoing participation on the project. 

    Warmly,

    The Inclusionary Zoning for Affordable Housing Study Team

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    Recommendations on the Affordability Term for Inclusionary Zoning Units 

    Staff will be presenting a supplementary recommendation report on the Inclusionary Zoning for Affordable Housing Study.  The report recommends changes to the affordability term for affordable rental and affordable ownership units. Community members can attend to ask questions and share their views. The Planning and Development Committee will make a decision on the proposed changes at the meeting.  The meeting agenda is available here one week prior to the meeting.  The meeting agenda will include the report as well as further details on how to participate virtually, in person, or provide written comments. Please note that advance notice is required if you wish to participate.  

    Final Council adoption of the Inclusionary Zoning policy and zoning framework is targeted for the August 10, 2022 Council meeting.  

    Planning and Development Committee Meeting

    • Date: Monday, August 8, 2022 
    • Time: 1:30 PM
    • Location: Online and Mississauga Civic Centre, Council Chamber, 300 City Centre Drive 

    If you are unable to attend, have questions, or would like to share comments and concerns, you can also email Catherine.Parsons@mississauga.ca or post on our Q&A tool. 

    Thank you for your ongoing participation on the Inclusionary Zoning Study for Affordable Housing.

    Warmly,

    The Inclusionary Zoning for Affordable Housing Study Team

    Quick Reply
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    Staff will be presenting a recommendation report on the Inclusionary Zoning for Affordable Housing Study, including Official Plan policies and Zoning By-law regulations. Community members can attend to ask questions and share their views. The Planning and Development Committee will make a decision on the proposed changes at the meeting. The meeting agenda is available here one week prior to the meeting.  The meeting agenda will include the report as well as further details on how to participate virtually, in person, or provide written comments. Please note that advance notice is required if you wish to participate.  

    Planning and Development Committee Meeting

    • Date: Tuesday, July 5, 2022
    • Time: 6:00 PM
    • Location: Online and Mississauga Civic Centre, Council Chamber, 300 City Centre Drive 

    If you are unable to attend, have questions, or would like to share comments and concerns, you can also email Catherine.Parsons@mississauga.ca or post on our Q&A tool. 

    Thank you for your ongoing participation on the Inclusionary Zoning Study for Affordable Housing.

    Warmly,

    The Inclusionary Zoning for Affordable Housing Study Team

    Quick Reply
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    Thank you for participating and providing feedback on the IZ for Affordable Housing Study. The Inclusionary Zoning for Affordable Housing Study Draft Official Plan Amendment and Zoning Framework is now available for review. It will also be presented at Planning and Development Committee (PDC) on May 30, 2022. The Draft Official Plan Amendment documents can be viewed by clicking the links below:

    1. IZ Draft Official Plan Amendment Staff Report
    2. Appendix 1 - Draft IZ Official Plan Amendment
    3. Appendix 2 - Draft IZ Zoning Framework


    If you are unable to attend the May 30th  PDC meeting, have questions, or would like to share comments and concerns, please email catherine.parsons@mississauga.ca or post your comments directly on to the report using our interactive PDF tool.


    Please know, that your participation and feedback helped to inform the draft OPA and Zoning Framework. 

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    In February and March 2022, the City held three meetings to gather feedback and comments on the preliminary policy directions for IZ. The first was a Community Meeting held on February 24, 2022, followed by two Roundtable Sessions for key stakeholders: developers on March 8, 2022, and housing advocates on March 10, 2022. We have compiled a summary of the feedback we received at the meeting. Please see the document here.   

    In addition to the meetings, a survey was launched to gather feedback on the preliminary policy directions for IZ. The survey consists of six questions that ask about current and future housing situations, balancing priorities, incentives, and policy options. Between February 23, 2022, and April 13, 2022, 45 unique responses were received, which we have summarized here.   

    Thank you for your ongoing participation in the study. 

    Sincerely, 

    The Inclusionary Zoning for Affordable Housing Study project team

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    We will be presenting the draft Inclusionary Zoning for Affordable Housing Policies. Community members can attend to ask questions and share further comments on the proposed changes. 

    Public Meeting - Planning and Development Committee 

    • Date: Monday, May 30, 2022
    • Time: 1:30 PM 
    • Location: Online and Mississauga Civic Centre, Council Chamber, 300 City Centre Drive
    • The public Meeting Notice can be found here  

    This meeting will be held in person and online. Advance registration is required to make a verbal submission at the meeting virtually. Advance registration is preferred to make a verbal submission at the meeting in person. The proceedings will be streamed live online for the public to view at the following link: http://www. mississauga.ca/portal/cityhall/council-and-committeevideos.

    If you wish to phone in to listen to the meeting only, please call 905-615-3200, ext. 4915 for instructions.

    The report is available online here one week before the meeting. If you are unable to attend, have questions, or would like to share comments and concerns, you can also email or post on our Q&A tool

    Thank you for your ongoing participation.

    Warmly,

    The Inclusionary Zoning for Affordable Housing Study Team

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    Join us for a community meeting on Inclusionary Zoning and City-wide Major Transit Station Areas. Staff will present preliminary policy directions affecting future developments in major transit station areas. Learn how these policies could help to bring more affordable units to the City over the long term.

    Date: Thursday, February 24, 2022.

    Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM

    Register here for the virtual community meeting!

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    On January 24th, 2022, staff will present an update on the City’s Inclusionary Zoning study to the Planning and Development Committee (PDC) meeting. Learn about the proposed policy directions and how it could help to bring more affordable units to the City over the long term. The PDC Information Report is available to view here.

    Planning and Development Committee Meeting

    Date: January 24, 2022

    Time: 6:00 PM

    Location: Online, can be streamed live here

    File: CD.06-INC

    Participate Virtually

    Advance registration is required to participate and/or make a comment in the meeting virtually. Please email deputations.presentations@mississauga.ca no later than Friday, January 21, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. and provide your name, phone number, and file number if you wish to speak to the Committee. Any materials you wish to show the Committee during your presentation must be provided as an attachment to the email. Links to cloud services will not be accepted. You will be provided with directions on how to participate from Clerks' staff.

    Participate Via Telephone

    Residents without access to the internet, via computer, smartphone or tablet, can participate and/or make comment in the meeting via telephone. To register, please call Megan Piercey at 905-615-3200 ext. 4915 no later than Friday, January 21, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. You must provide your name, phone number, and file number if you wish to speak to the Committee. You will be provided with directions on how to participate from Clerks' staff.

    Thank you for your participation in the Inclusionary Zoning for Affordable Housing Study!

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    On February 24, 2022, the City of Mississauga held an online community meeting on Inclusionary Zoning and City-Wide Major Transit Station Areas. Staff presented preliminary policy directions affecting future developments in major transit stations areas. Have your say and:

    Thank you for your participation in the Inclusionary Zoning for Affordable Housing Study!

    Quick Reply
Page last updated: 10 Feb 2023, 11:55 AM