Mississauga loses out over $30M after not reaching Ontario housing target
The City of Mississauga has lost out on potentially millions in funding after failing to achieve its provincial housing targets.
In 2022, the Ontario government set housing targets for most major cities as part of its efforts to build 1.5 million homes by 2031.
Each city was also given an annual goal and told that if they achieved 80 per cent of the housing starts, they would be eligible for funding as part of the province’s three-year “Building Faster Fund.”
Cities that exceed their goals are also eligible for additional funding bonuses—but those who did not would receive nothing.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
In a letter sent Feb. 14, Ontario Housing Minister Paul Calandra wrote that Mississauga was no longer eligible for this funding as it did not achieve 80 per cent of its target.
“I encourage you to work towards eligibility for future program years,” he said.
Mississauga was tasked with building 8,800 homes in 2023, measured by comparing monthly housing starts provided by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation as well as long-term care bed data from the Ministry of Long-Term Care.
At the time the letter was sent, Mississauga had only reached 39 per cent of its goal, with 3,470 homes on their way to being built. Of those homes, 384 are long-term care beds.
As the province began to roll out their ‘Building Funding Faster’ cheques to municipalities, Acting Mayor Joe Horneck said he was “disappointed” with the province’s decision, especially considering the city’s changes to streamline housing.
“While we remain committed to meeting our shared housing target, we have been clear that cities must be measured on the factors they can influence. As a measurement, housing starts create winners and losers based on market forces out of the control of municipalities,” he wrote to Calandra in response to losing the funding. “Ontario cities are all at a different stage of growth and development, which makes using housing starts even more problematic.”
“Given the nature of construction in Mississauga, which is predominantly complex, in-fill, highrise buildings, it can take years for a project to move from sales and marketing through to construction start and completion.”
He noted the city has approved over 31,000 residential units in the last three years. More than 12,000 units are under construction and more than 33,000 residential units are undergoing site plan review.
The Building Faster Fund is critical to city infrastructure, Horneck said, and residents shouldn’t be penalized if the industry doesn’t start construction or if landowners choose not to submit development applications.
The City of Mississauga said they could have been eligible for $32 million through the Building Faster Fund. They noted that this was considered additional funding and not incorporated into their budget for spending.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday about Burlington’s housing starts—which are also rather low and would exclude them from funding—Calandra said their goal is to get shovels in the ground.
“We want to get people moving into homes and, as I’ve said, a permit doesn't mean they're moving into a home.”
Any money from the Building Faster Fund that is not given to municipalities will be made available for other infrastructure-related projects through an application process. The cities of Mississauga and Burlington can apply for that money.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW AI helping to identify undiagnosed genetic disorders in children
Researchers have developed the world's first algorithm powered by artificial intelligence to identify children with undiagnosed rare genetic disorders.
Toronto awarded WNBA's first franchise outside U.S., with expansion team set to begin play in 2026
Toronto has been awarded the WNBA's first franchise outside the United States, with the expansion team set to begin play in 2026.
With 10K providers offering care to 2M seniors, health minister defends dental plan
Canada's dental care plan is 'getting there' Health Minister Mark Holland said Wednesday defending the program's rollout that's now seen two million seniors sign up, but just 10,000 oral health providers enrolled to treat them.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.