The provincial government has passed legislation allowing municipalities to implement inclusionary zoning (IZ).
“Here in Ottawa, key themes that have emerged in the various discussions to-date are that pursuit of an effective and viable IZ policy will require a partnership-driven approach,” says Mike Bulthuis, executive director of the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa, representing non-profit groups. “To that end, a smaller working group began to come together in July (bringing together representatives of the development industry and affordable housing sector) to collaborate around the development of a possible draft by-law (and set of principles) for Ottawa.”
Bulthuis says the working group will be reconvened.
“IZ presents an opportunity to further our shared housing goals – towards a vision for Ottawa where everyone has an affordable and appropriate home, and where we work together to achieve this,” he wrote.
“Over the past 18 months, the Alliance has hosted or collaborated with partners towards a number of discussions/events that included a focus on inclusionary zoning,” he wrote, including roundtables in 2015 and 2016, and an August 2016 consultation.
“We also commissioned a Policy Scan (attached) on planning practices / tools across Canada that could be used to enhance the viability of developing new affordable housing (and could be components that make IZ a viable approach).”
