Item - 2020.PH19.7

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council authorize that up to 275 additional affordable rental units to be constructed on the lands known as Blocks 8/20 and Blocks 3W, 4W and 7W in the West Don Lands be exempt from the payment of development charges, building permit, planning application and parkland dedication fees and charges.

 
2. City Council authorize an exemption from taxation for municipal and school purposes for the additional 275 affordable rental units to be constructed on the lands known as Blocks 8/20 and Blocks 3W, 4W and 7W in the West Don Lands for a period of 99 years.

 
3. City Council authorize City staff to cancel or refund any taxes paid after the effective date of the tax exemption.

 
4. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat to negotiate and enter into, on behalf of the City, a municipal housing facility agreement(s) with WDL 3/4/7 LP, by its general manager WDL 3/4/7 GP Inc., WDL 8 LP, by its general manager WDL 8 GP Inc. and/or its affiliates, to secure the financial incentives being provided through the Open Door Program on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat and in a form approved by the City Solicitor.

In October 2017, City Council approved Open Door Program incentives for up to 390 affordable rental housing units to be constructed on the eight-acre site known as Blocks 8/20 and Blocks 3W, 4W and 7W in the West Don Lands under the Provincial Affordable Housing Lands Program.

In May 2019, City Council approved Open Door Program incentives for an additional 33 affordable rental units, plus an extension of the affordability period from 49 to 99 years.

This report provides an update on the Provincial Affordable Housing Lands Program and recommends City Council approval of Open Door Program incentives for up to an additional 275 affordable rental units at the Blocks 3W, 4W, and 7W and Block 20. This includes exemptions from payment of development charges, building, planning and parkland dedication fees and charges, and taxation for municipal and school purposes for the affordable homes.

At the present time, it is anticipated that up to 698 affordable rental units in total will be created in the West Don Lands through the Provincial Lands Affordable Housing Program, with 10 percent of all affordable units to be three-bedroom and 10 percent to be four-bedroom units.