Toronto Council Approves Key Housing Motions to Accelerate Affordable Development

Toronto City Council has approved a sweeping set of housing initiatives aimed at increasing the supply of affordable, supportive, and rent-controlled homes across the city.

Dawar Naeem — Local Journalism Initiative

At the July 24 meeting, Council endorsed more than $245 million in funding, grants, loans, and incentives to support 39 housing projects, which will deliver over 10,800 new homes — including nearly 4,000 affordable and rent-geared-to-income units.

Mayor Olivia Chow introduced three additional motions during the meeting to strengthen the city's housing strategy. One motion directs the City Manager to send updated housing communications to the federal Minister of Housing, urging further investment in Toronto’s housing pipeline. Another motion calls for the development of pre-approved, code-compliant designs for four- and six-unit multiplexes, with a focus on accessibility and climate resiliency. These designs are expected to be publicly available by mid-2026.

The third motion expands development charge and parkland dedication fee exemptions for small-scale residential developments — covering up to six units per parcel — in an effort to promote gentle density and reduce costs for builders.

Councillors raised questions about the feasibility, affordability outcomes, and oversight mechanisms for these proposals. In response, Mayor Chow emphasized the need for bold and timely action to meet the city’s growing housing demand, particularly for working families, seniors, and residents in neighbourhoods like Regent Park.

All three motions were carried by Council, reinforcing Toronto’s commitment to building more complete communities on public and private land alike. The newly created Housing Development Office will play a central role in coordinating these efforts, streamlining delivery, and ensuring housing projects move from concept to construction.