TOWN PLEDGES TO BUILD 21,000 HOMES BY 2031

HERE ARE THE PROPOSED LOCATIONS

The Town of Milton has committed to build 21,000 homes by 2031 as part of its "pledge" to the province and to assist with the housing crisis, a motion approved by council at its March 6 meeting.

Here's what that means.

WHAT IS THE IDEA BEHIND THE PLEDGE?

The municipal housing pledge is part of the Ontario government's More Homes Built Faster Act, also known as Bill 23, which aims to build 1.5 million homes over the next 10 years across the province.

Large and fast-growing municipalities like Milton are being asked to demonstrate their commitment to facilitating the construction of new homes in their communities. The local target is set at 21,000 new homes by 2031.

IS IT LEGALLY BINDING?

Jill Hogan, commissioner of development services with the Town of Milton, said that the pledge is more of a symbolic one and isn't legally binding.

HOW FEASIBLE IS THE TARGET?

According to Hogan, the housing pledge is "actually less than what we forecasted as part of our development charge background study. So this growth is coming regardless in Milton."

But there are many factors beyond the town's control, she said, including the

housing market, interest rates and developers' business plan.

WHERE WILL THE NEW HOMES BE LOCATED?

The staff report outlines the potential delivery of housing units in the following areas: 1,025 units (Bristol Survey Secondary Plan), 1,396 units (Sherwood Survey Secondary Plan), 16,182 units (Boyne Survey Secondary Plan),

4,080 units (Trafalgar Secondary Plan), 2,130 units (Britannia Secondary Plan), 1,637 units (Agerton Secondary Plan), 1,856 units (Milton Education Village) and 3,399 units (mobility hub lands) — all by 2031.

WHAT ABOUT THE LOSS OF DEVELOPMENT CHARGE REVENUE FROM BILL 23?

In the pledge document, the town lays out all of the dependencies — such as funding gaps — in order to hit the numbers. The town is asking the province to create a compensation fund as a result of the impacts of Bill 23 on funding revenues and expenditures. The town is also asking relevant provincial bodies to commit to plans for future Milton District Hospital and school and transportation expansions.