Aurora looks to tackle affordable housing

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 16, 2014
By Teresa Latchford

The new term of council needs to work toward attracting more affordable housing in Aurora, according to council hopefuls.

The demand for affordable living spaces, including housing and rental properties, continues to outweigh the supply in Aurora and something needs to be done, insist municipal council candidates hoping to snag a seat at town hall Oct. 27.

Resident Marjorie Broadhurst points out there are few affordable options for senior citizens looking to downsize from their homes where they have paid property taxes for years in Aurora.

“How many seniors apartments are there in Aurora and I don’t mean the retirement homes that cost thousands (of dollars) a month,” she asked.

At a recent all-candidate meeting, mayoral hopeful John Gallo stated the current housing market prices will mean his own children won’t be able to afford to live in the town they grew up in if more affordable options aren’t made available.

Incumbent Councillor John Abel is concerned youth are migrating to Toronto since there are employment opportunities, apartments and transit, which also impacts the local economy.

He feels if the town could provide rentals through the use of infill, those youth may stay.

Councillor hopeful Arshad Desai agrees rental properties for young families and seniors would be a solution but points out it would take collaboration between the municipality, region and province to find a long-term solution.

“Aurora should designate a percentage of all housing developments as affordable,” fellow hopeful Jim Abram said. “Granny flats should also be encouraged and supported through zoning and property tax concessions.”

Councillor candidate Barb Barker suggests making amendments to bylaws to allow homeowners to rent out finished basements but fellow candidate Frank Vrbanatz feels the cost to bring a basement up to code for the purpose of renting would be a deterrent.

Candidate Greg Cook would support implementing policies and zoning bylaws encouraging higher density projects.

“It would be honest to say there is no simple solution,” candidate Linda Stephens added. “Economic development attracting quality jobs would certainly be helpful on family budgeting.”

The reality is land values have increased so significantly in recent years that rental rates are high, she explained.

Currently, she is seeing trends of multi generations sharing a home, popular in Europe, young families seeking starter homes where there is an apartment to help offset the cost of a mortgage and singles turning to condo living.