Windsor-Essex builders’ association optimistic about latest housing effort from Queen’s Park
The Ford government is trying again to jumpstart sluggish housing construction in Ontario with a new suite of measures getting the ‘thumbs up’ from the builders’ association in Windsor-Essex.
On Monday, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Rob Flack, introduced the new Ontario Getting Homes and Infrastructure Built Faster and Smarter Act as he admitted the province was well off track in meeting the Progressive Conservatives’ promise of 1.5 million new homes by 2031.
“The legislation we’re tabling today responds to recommendations and requests from municipal leaders and will help build the homes and infrastructure Ontario needs,” said Flack in a news release yesterday.
According to the Ontario Home Builders’ Association, the suite of measures addresses key sticking points for developers — development charges and approval delays.
Brent Klundert is the chair of the Windsor-Essex Home Builders’ Association (WEHBA) and is similarly optimistic the latest legislation can turn the tide of poor housing starts.
“Down here we’re kind of going the opposite way with DC’s,” said Klundert in an interview with CTV News. “So, I really like to see this movement happening before some of these [charge increases] are coming closer to getting introduced.”
