Town of Whitby

Staff Report
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Report Title: Housing Task Force

Report to: Planning and Development Submitted by:

Committee Roger Saunders, Commissioner,
Planning and Development
Date of meeting: June 11, 2018
Acknowledged by M. Gaskell, Chief
Report Number: PL 51-18 Administrative Officer
Department(s) Responsible: For additional information, contact:
Planning and Development Department Ed Belsey, Manager, Long Range Policy
Planning, ext. 2280

1. Recommendation:
1. That Planning and Development Report PL 51-18 be received for
information; and,
2. That item MD 3768 be removed from the Planning and Development
Committee - New and Unfinished Business list.

2. Highlights:
• On May 15, 2017, Staff was directed to report back to Planning and
Development Committee on the potential to create a Housing Task Force
in Whitby and on initiatives underway at the Region of Durham and the
Township of Scugog to create local housing strategies.

• Both the Region of Durham and Township of Scugog have brought forward
housing plans, including recommended actions for implementing affordable
and seniors housing.

• Local input will continue to be solicited by the Region during the

implementation. Internal Town staff resources and expertise would assist in
implementing many of the Region’s Housing Task Force recommendations,
which could be completed more quickly as an internal process than if it
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were delegated to a committee. Creation of a Whitby Housing Task Force

could potentially duplicate work already completed/future work to be
undertaken by the Region of Durham, in collaboration with area municipal
staff representatives.

• The Planning and Development Department Report collects and presents

analyses of various housing data in Whitby through its Annual Housing
Monitoring Report. The annual report can be expanded, and monitoring
can be enhanced, specifically as it relates to implementation of the Region’s
Housing Plan and the Affordable and Seniors’ Housing Task Force report’s
recommendations, if and where necessary.

• Town staff will continue to be engaged, and work closely with Durham
Region Planning staff regarding the implementation of the Region’s At
Home in Durham plan, and the recommendations in the Affordable and
Seniors’ Housing Task Force report.

3. Background:
On May 15th, 2017, staff presented the 2016 year-end Annual Housing Monitoring
Report to Planning and Development Committee (Item 6.6, PL 49-17). During
consideration of the report, the possibility of creating a Housing Task force made
up of residents and other stakeholders, with the mandate to create a Housing
Plan to increase the supply of affordable housing in Whitby, was discussed. The
matter was referred to Staff (as New and Unfinished Business Item MD 3768) to
report back on the creation of such a task force and to provide information on
similar initiatives underway at the Region of Durham and the Township of Scugog.

3.1 Region of Durham

3.1.1 Durham Regional Official Plan
The Durham Regional Official Plan (ROP) provides, among other matters, a policy
framework for housing its residents. One of the goals contained in the Durham
Regional Official Plan is:
“To provide a wide diversity of residential dwellings by type, size and tenure in
Urban Areas to satisfy the social and economic needs of present and future
residents of the Region.”
Various policy directions in the ROP related to housing matters include the
following (paraphrased):

• 4.2.4 At least 25% of all new residential units produced within each area
municipality shall be required to be affordable to low and moderate income
households
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• 4.3.3 the renovation of existing housing shall not come at the expense of
existing affordable housing

• 4.3.4 the conversion of rental to condominium tenure is restricted based

on the CMHC healthy vacancy rate of 3%

• 4.3.8 Area municipal Councils are encouraged to identify local needs and
adopt appropriate housing policies

• 4.3.9 Area municipal official plans shall include policies regarding:

a) meeting objectives of PPS and ROP regarding housing types, density,
intensification and affordability;
b) higher density mixed use development in Regional and local Centres
and Corridors;
c) maximum unit sizes;
d) conversion of single detached to multiple units;
e) redevelopment of older residential areas in keeping with heritage
policies; and,
f) permitting garden suites.

3.1.2 Durham Housing Plan – At Home in Durham

In May 2010, the Region initiated a review of housing in Durham. The review
included extensive research on the supply of housing, affordability, demographic
trends, and the specialized housing needs of diverse populations.
In 2014, following extensive community consultation, the Region released its
housing plan entitled ‘At Home in Durham, Durham Region Housing Plan 2014-
2024’, which includes four main goals:
• Goal 1: End Homelessness in Durham;
• Goal 2: Affordable Rent for Everyone;
• Goal 3: Greater Housing Choice; and,
• Goal 4: Strong and Vibrant Neighbourhoods.
The At Home in Durham plan includes more detailed goals which require
implementation at the area municipal level, such as:

• encouraging area municipalities to review their Official Plans and by-laws

with a view of creating an enabling environment for affordable housing
solution;
• promoting the Region’s commitment to higher density development,
intensification and brownfield redevelopment;
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• reviewing and developing enabling policies for secondary and garden

suites, in existing housing and new housing developments;
• supporting affordable home ownership for low and moderate income
households;
• promoting the Regional Revitalization Program to strategically target
Regional investment to area municipally-led Community Improvement
Projects, including affordable rental housing, which advance Regional
Official Plan policies and encourage residential and employment growth in
the region’s key urban locations;
• reviewing and incorporating Official Plan policies, consistent with the ROP,
that protect the existing supply of residential rental units from conversion to
condominium tenure; and,
• promoting safe and sustainable rental housing in our communities.
The At Home in Durham plan also requires that an implementation strategy (i.e.
action plan) be developed to realize the goals and primary actions outlined in the
plan, as well as working closely with its community partners (e.g. area
municipalities) to implement the plan.

3.1.3 Durham Affordable and Seniors’ Housing Task Force

In 2016, the Region established an eleven-member, Affordable and Seniors’
Housing Task Force to examine Affordable Rental and Senior’s Housing issues in
the Region of Durham. The Task Force’s mandate was focused on committee
education, information sharing and fostering collaboration. The Task Force’s work
builds on and supports the Durham Region Strategic Plan 2015–2019, the
Regional Official Plan, and the At Home in Durham Plan. The Task Force’s
members included area municipal Mayors, and one Regional Councillor from each
area municipality, who met monthly from December 2016 to June 2017.
In the fall of 2017, the Task force presented its recommendation report:
“Championing Affordable Rental and Seniors’ Housing Across Durham Region”
which identifies the provision of adequate, affordable, and suitable housing as a
responsibility of both upper- and lower-tier municipalities. The report contains 34
recommendations to support the creation of additional affordable and seniors’
housing, including recommendations which are the responsibility of, and require
the involvement of area municipal partners. The following general responsibilities
are identified for the area municipal level:

• Establish policy support through Official Plans;

• Apply regulatory tools through zoning by-laws;
• Approve development applications and provide incentives;
• Enforce local bylaws and property standards; and,
• Focus on the creation of inclusive, healthy and supportive communities.
More specifically, the eighteen (18) area municipal responsibilities (refer to
Attachment 1 - Excerpt) include:
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• 1-1 Establish interdisciplinary Affordable Rental and Seniors’ Housing

Tactical Team;
• 1-4 Establish affordable rental housing targets (Regional and municipal);
• 1-6 Develop a surplus land inventory;
• 1-7 Facilitate new affordable rental housing on surplus land;
• 1-8 Preserve purpose-built rental through demolition control;
• 1-10 Encourage municipal conversion to affordable rental and seniors’
housing;
• 2-1 Be informed about affordable rental housing barriers;
• 2-2 Be informed about seniors’ housing barriers;
• 2-4 Encourage process certainty at municipal level;
• 2-6 Encourage area municipalities to explore incentives;
• 2-8 Identify opportunities for intensification with partners;
• 2-9 Support reduced parking requirements;
• 2-10 Encourage secondary suites;
• 2-11 Encourage innovative forms of housing;
• 2-12 Height and density bonusing;
• 3-2 Share information and build commitment;
• 3-3 Build an awareness campaign: affordable rental housing; and,
• 3-4 Build an awareness campaign: seniors’ housing.
The report was developed with input from representatives from area municipalities
within the Region. The report is intended to assist in advancing the Region’s At
Home in Durham Plan, and to address the demand in the Region for:
• affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income households; and,
• greater diversity in housing choices for seniors.
On June 6, 2018, Regional Committee of the Whole will consider a report to
update Regional Council on the Region’s progress related to the implementation
of the thirty-four (34) recommendations contained in the Affordable and Seniors’
Housing Task Force Report. The progress report 2018-COW-127 indicates that
several actions have already been taken to implement the recommendations of
the Task Force’s report, including:
• Establishing an interdisciplinary Affordable Rental and Senior’s Housing
tactical team;
• Engaging a consultant to assist in developing affordable rental housing
targets at the Regional and Area Municipal level;
• Initiating a Municipal Comprehensive Review of the Durham Regional
Official Plan -“Envision Durham” to provide a supportive policy
environment;
• Continuing efforts to preserve affordable units with municipal non-profits at
the end of their Operating Agreement;
• Engaging other levels of government regarding rental housing affordability;
surplus government owned land; financial support; zoning standards; etc.;
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• Recommending changes to the Regional Development Charges By-law

related to affordable housing; and,
• Meeting with members of the development industry to discuss innovative
forms of housing.
Additional actions to implement the recommendations that are underway or will be
undertaken include:
• Review of Durham Region’s housing portfolio; and sharing of information to
support evidence-based decision making;
• Review of Regional Official Plan policies regarding the protection of
affordable housing stock;
• Discussions with area municipalities regarding Zoning By-law standards
(e.g. parking; second suites; height and density bonusing);
• Information sharing (e.g. best practices; online resource portal);
• Increased public awareness campaign; and,
• Development of an accurate definition of affordable housing (as part of
Municipal Comprehensive Review of the ROP).
The Region’s next steps include:
• Holding an inaugural meeting of the Interdisciplinary Tactical Team on
June 29, 2018 (CAO Gaskell will attend);
• Meeting with area municipal staff regarding parking/zoning standards;
intensification opportunities; affordable housing targets; etc.;
• Meeting with faith-based organizations to raise awareness of the affordable
and seniors’ housing need;
• Completing an inventory of (publicly-owned) surplus lands;
• Hosting an Affordable & Seniors Housing Innovation Forum; and,
• Continuing to Monitor exemplary practices.

3.2 Township of Scugog

In the fall of 2014, the Township of Scugog established the Scugog Housing
Advisory Committee (SHAC), with a mandate to advise Council and support
initiatives to ensure an appropriate range and mix of housing within the Township.
There are 9 voting resident members of SHAC, one Council member liaison, non-
voting members, and staff liaison. The Terms of Reference for the Committee
includes the following duties:
• Identify and recommend opportunities to increase and improve the
housing mix within the Township, for both ownership and rental purposes;
• Increase general public awareness concerning housing needs and
opportunities through education initiatives;
• Provide support to specific housing projects including, where necessary,
advocating on behalf of developers of housing projects and advocating for
more accessible housing; and
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• Collaborate with Township Committees and/or other external

organizations in the pursuit of projects related to enhanced housing
opportunities for Scugog.
In March, 2017, the SHAC presented their Draft Report entitled “Housing for All
Ages and Stages” to Scugog’s General Purpose and Administration Committee,
outlining the work undertaken to date, which was based on the principles
contained in the Region’s At Home in Durham Plan.
In November, 2017, the Township of Scugog brought forward a report seeking
Council’s authorization to amend the Scugog Official Plan to permit accessory
apartments, and to amend the Zoning By-law to include certain provisions for
accessory apartments, as an immediate first step to implement housing initiatives
in Scugog.
In April, 2018, the SHAC released its Final housing plan, “Housing for All Ages
and Stages”, for Council approval. The plan has a particular focus on affordable
home ownership options and affordable rental housing, with actions for
implementation, generally summarized as follows:
• Present Housing Plan to Township Committee for approval;

• Amend Official Plan and Secondary Plan for Port Perry to implement
inclusionary zoning regulations;

• Encourage the rough-in of accessory apartments/second units in new

construction;

• Amend Zoning By-law regarding various zone provisions; accessory

apartments; reduced parking standards;

• Review the Development Charges By-law related to affordable housing;

rough-in of second units; garden suites; etc.;

• Amend Port Perry Secondary Plan regarding sewage allocation as a priority

for affordable units;

• Prepare a Community Improvement Plan to provide incentives for

developments that provide affordable housing;

• Review parking standards related to accessory apartments/second units;

• Develop a model for innovative housing;

• Meet with housing stakeholders to discuss issues and involve them in the
implementation;
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• Continue with community education regarding housing issues in the

Township; and,

• Consider incentives for builders who incorporate green infrastructure in the

construction of houses.

4. Discussion:
On the public-sector side, the Town has taken, or will be taking the following steps
to assist in the implementation of the Region’s recommended actions at the local
level regarding affordable and seniors’ housing (similar in nature to actions
recommended in Scugog):

• Whitby’s CAO (or delegate) will attend the interdisciplinary Affordable

Rental and Seniors’ Housing Tactical Team meeting;
• Whitby Planning and Development staff will continue to collaborate with
Regional staff regarding development of affordable housing targets;
completing surplus land inventories; ongoing monitoring; etc.;
• The Whitby Official Plan has been updated (through OPA 105) to reflect the
housing policy direction outlined in the ROP;
• The Whitby Official Plan and Zoning By-laws were amended several years
ago to permit accessory apartments/second units as-of-right (further review
and minor amendments to Zoning will be required due to recent changes to
the Planning Act related to parking and permission within accessory
structures);
• The Town developed an Intensification Strategy, implemented through OPA
90 to the Whitby Official Plan, identifying areas and corridors intended for
increased densities and variety of housing types;
• Community Improvement Plans for Downtown Whitby and Port Whitby are
being developed, with certain incentives specifically focused on the
provision of affordable housing;
• The Town’s Development Charges By-law has been revised to provide
relief for certain types of residential development that can assist in providing
more affordable housing;
• Whitby’s Annual Housing Monitoring Report collects, analyses, and
presents housing data relevant to the recommendations of the Region’s
Task Force report. The Annual Housing Monitoring reports will be further
enhanced to monitor affordable and seniors housing developments; and,
• Recent changes to the Planning Act (Promoting Affordable Housing Act)
and associated Regulations, enable municipalities to implement Official
Plan policies and zoning by-laws which could require a portion of the units
within multi-unit residential development to be for affordable housing (i.e.
Inclusionary Zoning). However, prior to implementation, significant review
and analysis is required to be undertaken, including a detailed assessment
report.
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On the private-sector side, during the past few years, there has been a significant
increase in development applications and proposals, specifically geared towards
housing for seniors (e.g. apartment buildings; retirement homes), including the
following:

• All Seniors Development (Northwest quadrant of Taunton and Garrard; +/-

158 retirement suites; 67 apartments)
• Liza Homes (southeast corner of Promenade Avenue and Garden Street;
+/- 65retirement suites; 50 apartments;)
• City Homes (downtown Whitby; ; +/- 114 apartment units)
• Amica (95 Taunton Road East; +/- 162 units; 10 townhouse units)
• Taunton Mills Phase 3 (southwest corner of Taunton and Brock; 164 unit
retirement home)
• Viva (Gordon Street and Whitby Shores Greenway; +/- 156 units)
• Fieldgate (Gordon Street and Scadding Avenue; 150 retirement units; 257
seniors’ apartments)
• Lanmark (Pine and Dundas; +/- 120 units – all ages)
• Durham Christian Homes (Glenhill Drive; +/- 160 bed retirement and long
term care facility)
These active and proposed developments are indicative of a healthy market
geared towards seniors housing.
Whitby staff will continue to work closely with Regional staff to implement the
recommendations of the Region’s Task Force. Whitby Staff representatives
provide regular input to the Region, using existing Town staff resources and
expertise. Creation of a Whitby Housing Task Force could potentially duplicate
work already completed/future work to be undertaken by the Region of Durham, in
collaboration with area municipal staff representatives. As such, creation of a
local Housing Task Force in Whitby is not considered to be necessary or
beneficial at this time.

5. Financial Considerations:
Although the creation of a local Housing Task Force/Committee is not being
recommended at this time, should Council decide to establish one, then it would
require additional staff time and resources (e.g. Planning and Development /
Community Marketing Services staff liaison; Clerks staff as recorder of Committee
minutes) that have not been previously budgeted.

6. Communication and Public Engagement:

Not Applicable

7. Input from Departments/Sources:

Town staff will continue to collaborate with the Region in the implementation of the
Region’s Task Force’s recommendations . Input from other Departments and
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sources will be sought where appropriate in the implementation of the Region’s

Task Force recommendations.

8. Strategic Priorities:
3. To continue the Whitby tradition of responsible financial management and
respect for taxpayers; and to understand the importance of affordability to a
healthy, balanced community
7. To remain the community of choice for families and become the community of
choice for seniors and job creators; and to focus new growth around the principles
of strong, walkable and complete neighbourhoods that offer mobility choices

9. Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Excerpt from Region’s Affordable and Senior’s Housing Task
Force Report: Championing Affordable Rental and Senior’s Housing Across
Durham Region
 Attachment #1 PL 51-18

4.7 Summary of Task Force Recommendations

The Task Force is recommending a total of 34 recommendations. These recommendations advance a multi-faceted, collaborative
approach that includes specific actions for the Region of Durham and its partners. A summary of the recommendations is
captured in the table below:
Responsibilities and Involvement
Upper School Boards, Broader Linkages to
Durham Municipal Private
Recommendations Levels of Community Community Task Force
Region Partners Sector
Gov’t Organizations (Public) Mandate 7

1: Lead by Example
Be tactical – interdisciplinary Affordable -
1-1 √ √ - - - FC
Rental and Seniors’ Housing Tactical Team
Affordable housing and seniors’ housing is a
1-2 √ - - - - - CE, IS, FC
Regional priority
1-3 Be committed and results-focused √ - - - - - CE, FC
Establish affordable rental housing targets - - - -
1-4 √ √ CE, IS, FC
(Regional and municipal)
1-5 Create a supportive policy environment √ - - - - - FC
1-6 Develop a surplus land inventory √ √ √ - √ - FC
Facilitate new affordable rental housing on - -
1-7 √ √ - - IS, FC
surplus land

7
CE = Committee Education; IS = Information Sharing; FC = Fostering Collaboration

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 Responsibilities and Involvement
Upper School Boards, Broader Linkages to
Durham Municipal Private
Recommendations Levels of Community Community Task Force
Region Partners Sector
Gov’t Organizations (Public) Mandate 7

Preserve purpose-built rental through

1-8 √ √ IS, FC
demolition control
Safeguard rental housing affordability for
1-9 √ FC
the long-term
Encourage municipal conversion to
1-10 √ FC
affordable rental and seniors’ housing
2: Overcome Barriers
Be informed about affordable rental
2-1 √ √ √ √ √ IS, FC
housing barriers
2-2 Be informed about seniors’ housing barriers √ √ √ √ √ IS, FC
Improve process certainty (streamline
2-3 √ IS, FC
planning and approvals)
Encourage process certainty at municipal
2-4 √ √ IS, FC
level
2-5 Investigate Regional measures √ IS, FC
Encourage area municipalities to explore
2-6 √ √ IS, FC
incentives
Work with other levels of government to
2-7 √ √ IS, FC
make surplus land available
Identify opportunities for intensification
2-8 √ √ √ √ √ IS, FC
with partners
2-9 Support reduced parking requirements √ √ FC

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 Responsibilities and Involvement
Upper School Boards, Broader Linkages to
Durham Municipal Private
Recommendations Levels of Community Community Task Force
Region Partners Sector
Gov’t Organizations (Public) Mandate 7

2-10 Encourage secondary suites √ √ √ IS, FC

2-11 Encourage innovative forms of housing √ √ √ √ √ IS, FC
2-12 Height and density bonusing √ √ IS, FC
3: Partner and Build Support
Leverage opportunities to increase
3-1 √ IS, FC
community-wide affordability
3-2 Share information and build commitment √ √ √ √ √ √ CE, IS, FC
Build an awareness campaign: affordable
3-3 √ √ √ √ √ CE, IS, FC
rental housing
Build an awareness campaign: seniors’ √
3-4 √ √ √ √ CE, IS, FC
housing
4: Showcase Best Practices
Learn from other innovators: affordable
4-1 √ √ CE, IS
rental housing
Learn from other innovators: seniors’
4-2 √ √ CE, IS
Housing
4-3 Profile success √ CE, IS, FC
5: Advocate Responsibly
Renewed commitment and financial
5-1 √ √ FC
support by senior levels of government

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 Responsibilities and Involvement
Upper School Boards, Broader Linkages to
Durham Municipal Private
Recommendations Levels of Community Community Task Force
Region Partners Sector
Gov’t Organizations (Public) Mandate 7

Appeal for income supports for low and

5-2 √ √ FC
moderate-income households
5-3 Accurate definition of affordable housing √ √ FC
6 Monitor Progress and Report on Results
Realize results: monitor and report annually
6-1 on Regional investments in affordable √ CE, IS
rental and seniors’ housing
6-2 Monitor incentives provided by others √ √ CE, IS
Total Recommendations (34)* 32 18 14 8 8 3

*Note: Total number of recommendations by agency responsible/involved will be greater than 34 given that many
recommendations are premised on a collaborative/partnership approach.

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