Housing Affordability
York Region is committed to providing complete communities with a full range of housing options to meet the needs of residents of all ages, abilities, income levels and stages of life. York Region housing policy and program initiatives help inform and address housing needs, with a focus on housing provided by the private market.
With input and support from the development industry, other levels of government, housing providers and other stakeholders, York Region continues to work toward innovative solutions to housing affordability.
Affordable Private Market Housing Implementation Plan
York Region is in the process of developing an Affordable Private Market Housing Implementation Plan to identify action, advocacy and partnerships to help address affordability challenges in the private housing market.
Be the first to know when the draft plan is ready and how you can get involved with a variety of planning matters including housing affordability.
York Region will need your input to help inform a plan to be presented to York Regional Council in 2023.
 CANADA helps shape the housing market with federal policies and funding for affordable and community housing, as well as preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada.  ONTARIO establishes provincial rules and contributes funding for community housing and homelessness. ONTARIO provides direction for land use including affordable housing targets. |
 YORK REGION funds and delivers community housing through local partnerships and helps people find and maintain stable housing. YORK REGION also supports growth in the Region, sets affordable housing targets and monitors progress towards addressing housing challenges. |
 LOCAL CITIES AND TOWNS plan for housing to meet the needs of their communities.  DEVELOPERS AND LANDLORDS develop communities by building new housing and managing rental properties.  COMMUNITY PARTNERS work with residents who have low and moderate incomes to help increase access to housing. |
View the March 2022 report: Affordable Private Market Housing Implementation Plan Approach and Timelines
Monitoring Housing Affordability
Every year, York Region uses a standard method to monitor affordability of new ownership housing and the supply of new purpose-built rental housing in relation to targets set in the York Region Official Plan.
The 2021 analysis identifies a lack of new affordable housing options in York Region, which continues to be a challenge throughout the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA). Less than 1% of new ownership units were deemed affordable in 2021.
Previous annual measuring and monitoring reports:
Housing Affordability Task Force
In February 2021, York Regional Council declared an affordable housing crisis in York Region and established a Housing Affordability Task Force to help address affordability issues and initiate actionable change. Council reinforced building complete communities and addressing ongoing affordability challenges is only possible through partnerships, innovation and policy.
An Affordable Private Market Housing Implementation Plan and a Community Housing Master Plan are being developed to increase affordable housing options across York Region.
Private Market Affordable Housing Incentives
To help facilitate the growth of complete communities, York Regional Council approved the following development charge deferrals on October 17, 2019 for affordable, purpose-built rental housing.
Through the 2019 Water and Wastewater Assignment to Support Growth report, a wastewater allocation reserve of 4,000 persons was also created to support purpose built rental housing initiatives, subject to capacity. Additional incentives are available for sustainable, water efficient residential developments.
Subsidized Housing and Community Housing
Subsidized housing provides affordable housing for individuals, families and seniors with low-to moderate-incomes. York Region administers and funds subsidized housing in all nine cities and towns for eligible households who do not have enough income and/or assets to pay market rent.
York Region offers a number of housing programs through the centralized subsidized housing wait list, including:
- Subsidized units at community housing locations
- Rent supplement units offered through participating private landlords
- Portable housing benefits to help applicants pay rent in their market rental unit
To learn more about subsidized housing in York Region, visit york.ca/ApplyForHousing
As the largest community housing provider in York Region, Housing York Inc. provides well maintained, affordable housing options including mixed income rental apartment buildings.
More information on housing in York Region can be found at york.ca/Housing
External Resources
- National Housing Strategy
- More Homes for Everyone Plan
- Town of Aurora
- Town of East Gwillimbury
- Town of Georgina Housing Strategy
- King Township
- City of Markham Housing Strategy
- Town of Newmarket
- City of Richmond Hill Housing Strategy
- City of Vaughan Housing Strategy
- Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Housing Strategy
