Housing Affordability

York Region is committed to supporting complete communities with a full range of housing options to meet the needs of residents of all ages, abilities, income levels and stages of life.

With input and support from the development industry, other levels of government, housing providers and stakeholders, York Region continues to work toward innovative solutions to housing affordability.

A comprehensive approach to addressing housing challenges with actions to increase affordable and community housing supply will be consolidated in the next 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan.

York Region's 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan 

Monitoring Housing Affordability

Every year, York Region monitors affordability of new ownership housing and the supply of new purpose-built rental housing.

The 2024 Measuring and Monitoring analysis identifies a lack of new affordable housing options in York Region, which continues to be a challenge throughout the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA). There were almost no new ownership units deemed affordable in 2024 for moderate-income households. 

Previous annual measuring and monitoring reports:

Housing and Homelessness Committee

York Regional Council has established a Housing and Homelessness Committee to guide development of the next 10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan.

Members of the Housing and Homelessness Committee are comprised of York Regional Council members and recommendations to advance the Region’s housing and homelessness priorities will be reported to York Regional Council for approval.
This Committee will help prioritize and recommend solutions with a focus on York Region’s Service Manager responsibilities in the housing and homelessness system to guide development for the next 10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan. This includes accelerating new supply of emergency, transitional, community and affordable housing and support coordination and collaboration at the local municipal level. 

Housing and Homelessness Committee meetings will take place monthly and streamed on york.ca/live
 

Private Market Housing Needs and Incentives

An updated 2023 Housing Needs Analysis confirmed York Region has a lack of purpose built rental and affordable ownership housing options. It’s imperative to address the needs of renter households across a variety of incomes and characteristics. 

To help address the need for more purpose-built rental developments, Regional Council approved maximum allowable property tax discounts of 35% for 35 years and additional development charge deferrals.  

Find out more about Land Development in York Region. 

Subsidized Housing and Community Housing

Subsidized housing provides affordable housing for individuals, families and seniors with low-to moderate-incomes. York Region administers and funds subsidized housing in all nine cities and towns for eligible households who do not have enough income and/or assets to pay market rent.

York Region offers a number of housing programs through the centralized subsidized housing wait list, including: 

  • Subsidized units at community housing locations
  • Rent supplement units offered through participating private landlords
  • Portable housing benefits to help applicants pay rent in their market rental unit

To learn more about subsidized housing in York Region, visit york.ca/ApplyForHousing  

As the largest community housing provider in York Region, Housing York Inc. provides well maintained, affordable housing options including mixed income rental apartment buildings. 

More information on housing in York Region can be found at york.ca/Housing

Related Resources

External Resources