Mayors’ Housing Task Force responds to acute need for affordable housing in Brantford and Brant

BRANTFORD, ON – Affordable Housing units that are rented at 80% or less of the average market rent (AMR) in a community, are developed using government funds which enables units to be rented at a reduced monthly rent. For example, $777 is 80% of the current AMR for a 1-bedroom unit in Brantford. The AMR is published annually by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

Developing affordable housing requires increasing affordable rental housing supply either through new development, re-development or repurposing. It also requires the support of existing rental housing and providing rental subsidies where possible. The supply of homes for ownership can come in varied forms and supporting more affordable home ownership through non-profit efforts can also assist with expanding the city’s rental housing supply.

Acute need for affordable housing in our community

The acute need for more affordable housing in our community, and the positive impact affordable housing stability has on people’s lives cannot be understated. In October 2019, the City’s Housing Master Plan identified the urgent need for close to one thousand housing units to be built in the next 10 years. At present, over 1,700 households are on the community housing wait list. 

A senior on basic pensions receives just over $1,600 income per month; the average advertised 1 bedroom rent in Brantford is around $1,200, leaving about $13 a day for food, bills, medical and transportation costs.

Today, the City released an Affordable Housing in Brantford video that demonstrates the urgent need and the incredibly meaningful difference the security of housing can have on a person’s life and well-being. Featured in the video is the powerful and moving story of a senior in our community who waited 5 years to obtain affordable housing.

Mayors’ Housing Partnership Task Force

Earlier this year,  Mayor Kevin Davis convened the Mayor’s Housing Partnerships Task together with County of Brant Mayor David Bailey, with the mandate of developing partnerships with non-profit, faith-based as well as private sector stakeholders to expedite the Municipal Housing Master Plan by increasing the much-needed development of affordable housing in Brantford and Brant.

“I firmly believe that our community thrives when everyone has a safe place to call home. Right now,  our city is experiencing an affordable housing crisis,” said Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis. “While I am very proud of the City’s efforts to provide support programs and assistance across the housing spectrum, from emergency and supportive shelters, to affordable rental units, we know it is not enough to meet the current demand, now made even more acute by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Funds from sale of Arrowdale lands

The City’s approved Housing Plan calls for $45-55M as well as additional funding from the CMHC Co-investment fund and debt financing to meet the total requirement of $100-105M in funding over 10 years to build over 500 new affordable housing units in our community. The revenue from the sale of the Arrowdale lands will fund 3 buildings with a total of 140 units, plus and 80-90 units funded from ongoing annual property taxes. That’s affordable housing for over 230 households which will make a huge difference in the quality of life of those who in some cases have waited over 5 years for affordable housing.

The Arrowdale sale has provided the necessary means to start meeting the increasing demand for affordable housing in Brantford.

Click here to watch the Affordable Housing video

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Media Contact: 

Maria Visocchi Director, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | Office: 519.759.4150 Ext. 5754 | mvisocchi@brantford.ca

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