Almost all GTA residents want zoning review, more new homes

Residents in the Greater Toronto Area want more new homes and a review of zoning rules to help ease housing affordability.

A survey has revealed that 87% of respondents said building more homes was important to addressing affordability, this view is strongest in the 416.

Almost 9 in 10 said that zoning by-laws should be reviewed and changed to allow for greater flexibility for middle-density housing types.

In the joint poll, the Toronto Real Estate Board and the Building Industry and Land Development Association have been asking for opinions ahead of municipal elections.

“Building more new homes is seen, overwhelmingly, as a critical part of the solution to housing affordability,” said TREB president Garry Bhura. “However, overcoming resistance to change and 'not in my backyard' sentiment in existing neighbourhoods is a huge barrier that municipal leaders can help overcome by taking a leadership role."

Build, but somewhere else
Despite the strong sentiment for more new homes, many people are not keen to have development in their neighbourhood.

Asked about homes being built within half a kilometre of their home, 30% would be opposed to a single-family home, rising to 59% for a high-rise condo apartment building.

"In order to build a livable GTA for the future, we need to be able to build more homes, faster. Clearly we need to have a broader discussion on how to accommodate growth, particularly in established neighbourhoods. I encourage citizens and municipal candidates to learn more about this at www.buildforgrowth.ca," said Dave Wilkes, President and CEO, BILD.

 

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