Affordable housing a hot topic in York-Simcoe

YorkRegion.com
Oct. 1, 2015
Brea Bartholet

Investing in a home is a major financial decision, regardless of your age.

It usually proves to be one of the largest assets and investments for a family.

So, what happens when those wishing to take the leap of faith into home ownership are unable to afford the area of their choosing?

The issue of affordable housing has been on the minds of voters for many years — looking to the government for a sustainable solution. It seems as though the creation of a new housing strategy is also on the minds of all federal parties.

Here in York-Simcoe, candidates are making sure affordable housing is at the forefront of their campaigns.

Housing costs have continued to skyrocket in Bradford, East Gwillimbury and Georgina, with most areas averaging home sales in the high $400,000 to mid-$500,000.

That’s a price, for many new homeowners, that is simply to expensive in times of such a weak economic status.

Since coming into power, the Conservative government has assisted Canadians in the purchase of a new home, including the establishment of the first-time homebuyers’ tax credit — a $5,000 tax credit created to help with such costs such as legal fees and land transfer taxes.

The party also introduced tax-free savings accounts and expanded them, allowing Canadians to save and invest their money, tax-free.

Incumbent MP Peter Van Loan speaks highly of recent social housing projects within York-Simcoe, a newer one located along the Queensway in Keswick, near Church Street.

“We are very proud to have a high level of investment in affordable housing. We have worked hard to ensure residents are given options,” Van Loan said.

If a Conservative government is re-elected, it pledges to expand the home buyers’ plan from $25,000 to $35,000 to allow first-time home buyers to withdraw savings, tax-free, to make their down payments and reduce mortgages and interest payments.

A renovation tax credit between $1,000 and $5,000 would also be put into place.

Liberal candidate Shaun Tanaka believes it is time to take things one step further, however, saying Canadians simply can no longer afford to buy a home when they are still struggling to make ends meet.

“As part of our new, 10-year investment of nearly $20 billion in social infrastructure, we will prioritize significant new investment in affordable housing and seniors facilities,” she said.

The Liberals aim to use their strategic plan to help build more housing units, refurbish existing ones and provide operational funding support for municipalities. The party will modernize the existing homebuyers’ plan so that it helps more Canadians finance the purchase of a home and will allow Canadians impacted by sudden and significant life changes to access the program and use money from their RRSP to buy a house without tax penalty, she added.

NDP candidate Sylvia Gerl and Mark Viitala of the Green Party are also looking for strategic housing plans. Gerl has stressed the number of Canadians with a housing need has reached almost 3.2 million, many of them, she says, being priced out of the market.

During the past 26 years of Liberal and Conservative governments, Canada’s national investment in housing has fallen more than 46 per cent, she said.

“An NDP government will enact the Affordable Housing Act, ensuring secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians to recognize housing as a right and lead to the development of a national housing strategy.”

It is also the NDP’s goal to partner with municipalities, provinces and First Nations communities to restore long-term, stable investments in affordable housing.

The Green Party believes people must not be forced into home ownership because there is no other alternative.

“We are seeking to increase the amount of social housing and commonly owned housing to ensure availability of affordable housing.”