The City of London says it wants to encourage private developers to build affordable housing in all parts of London.

But the city is at risk of being locked into allowing builders to add affordable housing units only to new projects along major transit routes because of a change in provincial building rules that takes effect in September.

In a report to the planning and environment committee Monday, however, city staff recommend pressing the province to expand where builders can add affordable units.

“I am glad this is coming forward. We must do what we can, citywide,” said Coun. Anna Hopkins, chair of the committee.

“We need to see more affordable housing units distributed evenly across the city.”

Under the current rules, a builder can use a provision called “bonusing” that, for example, may allow them to add more floors to a proposed highrise residential tower than is allowed under zoning by adding affordable units. Details are worked out in negotiations between the city and developer.

That will change in September when the province replaces bonusing with “inclusionary zoning.” A builder may add affordable housing to a development, but inclusionary zoning can only be demanded along major transit routes. For the city to address the affordable housing shortage, such zoning must be offered citywide, the staff report said.

Keep reading in the London Free Press

• 
•