Congrats To Adam Vaughan And His Efforts Highlight...

 ...the fact that government at all levels are incompetent when it comes to building affordable housing. It takes forever to get approvals, the cost is astronomical, etc. etc. The question that needs o be answered is why are other councilors not using the same approach?

Toronto councillor sets an example for Queen's Park

April Lindgren

26 February 2010 08:00

 

It’s easy to be cynical about politicians, so if that’s your mindset, stop reading now because this is about a politician who is doing something worthwhile. While Coun. Adam Giambrone has been hound-dogging around, describing his live-in girlfriend as a political prop, and fuelling the population’s general disdain for politicians, Coun. Adam Vaughan has been getting affordable housing built in his downtown ward.
It’s only a few units here and there, but each one has the potential to transform the life of a low-income family or individual. What’s more, the smattering of projects to date illustrates what can be done citywide.
Vaughan’s strategy is to broker deals with developers using a section of the city’s official plan that requires builders to pay for community benefits in return for permission to construct taller towers. Councillors usually use Section 37 to secure parks or other neighbourhood improvements, but Vaughan negotiated a floor of affordable rental housing units in a 41-storey hotel and condo project. The developer received permission to build higher than the zoning laws allow. People working in the building will rent the units at affordable rates.
Vaughan’s record also includes a deal that netted the non-profit housing group Kehilla four condo units for clients who need affordable, supportive housing. In another case, the developer will provide unfinished units to Habitat for Humanity.
“What we see in the old parts of downtown are integrated, balanced communities where the person who runs your green grocer or who teaches your children in school … all can afford to live in the neighbourhood,” Vaughan says. “It’s that complete neighbourhood concept that we’re now trying to replicate in the tall buildings.
“Most of these buildings hire a concierge to mind the door and that’s not a high-paying job,” he continues, noting that creating a vertical neighbourhood in a highrise isn’t easy. “If that person could live in the building, imagine the different relationship and quality of care you would get from the person who is at the door.”
Vaughan says provincial politicians who see the examples in his ward should find it easier to change the planning act so that cities can adopt zoning bylaws requiring a percentage of affordable housing in all new developments. A private member’s bill to this effect, introduced by NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo, is currently being mulled over by politicians at Queen’s Park.
Vaughan has done his bit. Over to you, Premier McGuinty.