The City of Mississauga is…

The City of Mississauga is generally supportive of the proposed definition of affordable housing outlined in ERO 019-7669, because it includes an income-based metric to establish the maximum affordability thresholds. This approach will ensure units qualifying under this definition for fee relief are truly affordable units for households. However, additional information and clarification is required regarding precise methodology used to inform the Provincial Bulletin, as well as further information on administration of the fee relief. Please refer to the attached Council report as well as the attached document entitled: City of Mississauga's Comments to Province re. ERO Posting 019-7669.

The City is seeking clarification on the data sources and assumptions to be used to determine average market prices /rents and household incomes. The City recommends that thresholds be set based on number of bedrooms or unit size. The Province should consider adopting the new proposed definition that includes the income-metric, but keep the "80% of average price" for the market-metric. The City would like to continue working with the Province in the process of establishing these details. It is recommended that the Province consider setting general guidelines, but allow municipalities to establish the precise thresholds.

Administratively, the City is concerned with the complexity of 25 year agreements and the ability to confirm that savings are passed on to the homebuyer. The City requests more information and the opportunity to provide input on the standard forms of agreements. Will the Province consider a rebate program to the homebuyer, instead of the current upfront exemption approach?

Please provide clarification regarding parallel terms in the legislation, including "attainable residential unit" and "inclusionary zoning unit."