Helen White’s Post

Work on a target of 1.5m new homes over the coming parliament is already under way with the restoration of mandatory housebuilding targets, a new National Planning Policy Framework, a review of the green belt and the identification of sites for a new crop of new towns all on the agenda for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government under Angela Rayner. But there are still major obstacles in the way of those 1.5m homes, not least that governments have never delivered so many without a major investment in council housing, and planning reform alone will not be enough to make homes more affordable. Full story in the new Private Eye, out now.

A more standardized and regional approach to planning (zoning) approvals via recently proposed under Ontario Planning Act amendments (see below) will certainly help. Beyond that, a more regionalized and standardized approach to building permits (in support of industrialized housing and repeat plans) is already possible under the Building Code Act (check my latest blog), but the building industry needs to engage with building officials and the OBOA if this approval option is to be activated. #buildingpermits; #industrializedhousing; #massproduction; #zoning

🏡 Our Housing System is Failing: It's Time for Action! 🚫 Read the eye-opening article at https://bit.ly/3QNU7GW to learn why we can't afford to wait for policy interventions any longer. Housing is a fundamental human right, and the current system is failing so many. This thought-provoking piece sheds light on the pressing issues and why we need to take matters into our own hands. https://bit.ly/3soKNQq

This proposed amendment to Ontario's Planning Act, which would help standardize zoning province-wide for Additional Residential Units (ARUs), is a very important first step (with potential further refinements). Additional residential building forms that could also benefit from zoning standardization would include mid-rises and multiplexes along certain portions of main-streets and avenues, so that Ontario's planning approval regime better aligns with trends toward more standardized design and industrialized housing production.

🏡 Our Housing System is Failing: It's Time for Action! 🚫 Read the eye-opening article at https://bit.ly/3St4l0D to learn why we can't afford to wait for policy interventions any longer. Housing is a fundamental human right, and the current system is failing so many. This thought-provoking piece sheds light on the pressing issues and why we need to take matters into our own hands. https://bit.ly/49rYqik

The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) has brought sweeping changes to the affordable housing industry, and there are surely more to come. Boost your confidence with this four-hour special webinar on May 30th, focusing on the new world of affordable housing. https://lnkd.in/gSR584ci

There are essential, coordinated actions that our elected leaders will need to take to assist with our housing crisis. According to this week's report from Up for Growth, these actions include eliminating exclusionary zoning practices, providing incentives for developers, streamlining the approval process, providing federal financial support, and reducing costs by supporting the use of manufactured and modular housing. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gPRXUC3D

Passing statewide legislation is the first step in efforts to improve housing affordability, not the last. Implementing housing reform is a complex challenge for state and local governments, and it can take several years to see results. Our Policy Download, published alongside The Brookings Institution, shares high-level lessons learned from recent state housing policy reforms—and the pressing questions that remain. By Jenny Schuetz, Julia C. Gill, Semida Munteanu, and Sydney Z.: https://lnkd.in/ebgPktyS

🏘️ Did you know? Once adopted, the Infill Housing Program Bylaw updates will provide new housing options across all existing single-family neighbourhoods in the District. The program was developed building off the guiding principles from the Oak Bay Infill Housing Strategy and in response to Provincial legislation. Learn more about the Infill Housing Program Bylaw updates and the Housing Action Program: https://lnkd.in/gEwsfUEt

In its National Planning and Policy Framework consultation response, the Local Government Association amplified its call for national support to help councils deliver affordable, quality homes, urging the UK Government to strengthen local resources, streamline infrastructure funding, and expand council powers to set planning fees. Propertymark supports a balanced approach to housing policy, where local expertise is harnessed to deliver homes, that communities need. Find out what we said in our article linked here➡️https://ow.ly/avVP50TTlHE