Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2017

The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2017 was prepared and approved under the Places to Grow Act, 2005 to take effect on July 1, 2017.

2. Housing

Intro: This Plan helps to address this challenge by providing direction to plan for a range and mix of housing options, including second units and affordable housing and, in particular, higher density housing options that can accommodate a range of household sizes in locations that can provide access to transit and other amenities. There is also a need for stakeholders to work collaboratively to find opportunities to redevelop sites using more age-friendly community design.

Upper- and single-tier municipalities, in consultation with lower-tier municipalities, the Province, and other appropriate stakeholders, will each develop a housing strategy that:

• supports the achievement of the minimum intensification and density targets in this Plan, as well as the other policies of this Plan by:
• identifying a diverse range and mix of housing options and densities, including second units and affordable housing to meet projected needs of current and future residents; and
• establishing targets for affordable ownership housing and rental housing.

3. Infrastructure to support growth

It is estimated that over 30 per cent of infrastructure capital costs, and 15 per cent of operating costs, could be saved by moving from lower density development to a more compact built form.

This Plan is aligned with the Province's approach to long-term infrastructure planning as enshrined in the Infrastructure for Jobs and Prosperity Act, 2015, which established mechanisms to encourage principled, evidence-based and strategic long-term infrastructure planning. Under the Act, infrastructure planning should be mindful of established provincial or municipal plans or strategies, and investment decisions should support these plans and strategies to the extent possible.

Provincial Policy Statement, 2014

.....Planning authorities shall provide for an appropriate range and mix of housing types and densities to meet projected requirements of current and future residents of the regional market area by: .....permitting and facilitating:

• all forms of housing required to meet the social, health and well-being requirements of current and future residents, including special needs requirements; and
• all forms of residential intensification, including second units, and redevelopment in accordance with policy 1.1.3.3;

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