Kitchener, Waterloo pass pledges that will see thousands of new homes built by 2031

Both Kitchener and Waterloo have outlined pledges to support the development of thousands of new homes by the end of 2031.

Kitchener councillors passed a plan for the building of 35,000 new homes built, while Waterloo council passed a similar plan for the creation of 16,000 new homes.

Each city outlined its commitment during council meetings Monday night. In a meeting at the end of February, Cambridge pledged to build 19,000 new homes by 2031.

The pledges are part of Ontario's More Homes Built Faster Act, also commonly called Bill 23, which aims to accelerate the construction of 1.5 million new homes provincewide over the next 10 years. 

Both Kitchener and Waterloo have plans to supply housing for what's called the missing middle housing. 

Kitchener plans to update land use and zoning around transit station areas. It wants to collaborate with the Waterloo Region Home Builders Association to identify labour shortages, costs infrastructure, timing and economic market conditions.

In a release, Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic called the province's housing forecasts for municipalities "ambitious," but said the city is "well positioned to meet these targets to the proactive work we have done and our strong collaboration with partners." In Waterloo, councillors approved a strategy on 59 actions.

That includes looking for ways to use city-owned land for affordable housing. As well, the city will make it easier to build second units by eliminating parking requirements for second units near ION stops, and plan to provide more supports for landlords and tenants.

In a release, Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe said the city has recognized the need to address the affordable housing crisis and has developed a strategy that includes 81 actions the city will aim for in the next decade.

But, she added, "local governments alone cannot make meaningful progress. The federal and provincial governments must continue to work with us."