Ontario Rethinks Plans for 1.5 Million Homes Amid Housing Challenges
Ontario is reconsidering its ambitious target of constructing 1.5 million homes within a decade. Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack has proposed new legislation aimed at expediting approvals and facilitating faster home construction by developers.
Flack acknowledges the current delays and high costs associated with building homes in Ontario. He is optimistic that the proposed bill, combined with previous legislative efforts, will pave the way for more efficient home-building processes.
However, when pressed about whether these measures will be adequate to meet the province’s ambitious housing goal, Flack remains uncertain. Despite challenges facing the housing sector, he remains steadfast in his commitment to accelerating home construction.
Recent housing data indicates that Ontario fell short of its housing start targets in 2024, even with the inclusion of new categories like university dormitories. The province’s housing starts in the first quarter of 2025 have hit their lowest levels in over a decade, raising concerns about the feasibility of achieving the set target.