Housing Choices: Markham's Affordable and Rental Housing Strategy
On March 22, 2023, Markham City Council approved its Housing Pledge, Housing Pledge with a Promise, as requested by the Province of Ontario. The Province has a goal of achieving 1.5 million new housing units by 2031 and has targeted 44,000 new units for the City of Markham.
The City of Markham has developed Housing Choices: Markham’s Affordable and Rental Housing Strategy to address housing affordability in the community. Markham has a history of supporting affordable housing and Housing Choices marks a key milestone in its journey.
One-in-three households in the City have housing affordability issues and nearly one-in-five residents are spending 50% or more of their income on housing.
The average price of a resale home in Markham has doubled over the last 10 years and average market rent is increasing faster than inflation. The City has a role to play and is taking action on this important issue.
Housing Choices includes a vision, three goals and 35 actions to address the housing gaps and needs. The Strategy’s Actions focus on practical steps that can be taken together with community partners to increase housing choices for Markham residents.
What is affordable in Markham?
Markham uses the Provincial definition of ‘affordable’ which is annual housing costs that do not require more than 30 percent of gross household income for low and moderate income households.
Ownership and rental households have different affordability thresholds which refers to the maximum purchase price of a home or the monthly rent of a unit. In Markham, a unit is affordable if it costs no more than $480,723 for ownership housing and $1,541 in monthly rent.
| Affordable Price Thresholds* and Maximum Household Income | ||
| Ownership | Rental | |
| Moderate Household Income = $118,355 | Moderate Income Home Price = $480,723 |
Average Market Rent = $1,541/month 1 Bedroom = 1,440 2 Bedroom = $1,600 3+ Bedroom = $1,668 |
| Low Household Income = $60,691 | Low Income Home Price = $246,509 | |
* 2020 affordability thresholds for Markham. Affordability is calculated annually with data from York Region and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
How did we get here?
The City undertook a multi-phase project including research reports and community engagement to complete the Strategy.
The Phase 1: Housing Needs Assessment report examined current and emerging housing gaps in Markham.
The Phase 2 – Policy Framework and Recommendations report reviewed the policy framework, summarized initial stakeholder feedback and included a draft Affordable and Rental Housing Strategy and proposed Inclusionary Zoning Framework. Members of the community, representatives from all levels of government, private and non-profit housing sectors, and experts in the housing field participated in the development of the Strategy.
Consultation included the Markham Housing Summit, a Virtual Community Information Meeting, and engagement through Your Voice Markham.
Reports and Presentations
Affordable and Rental Housing Strategy reports and presentations:
Phase 1:
- Staff Report – Affordable and Rental Housing Strategy: Housing Needs Assessment (April 29, 2019)
- Phase 1 Study – City of Markham Affordable and Rental Housing Study, Phase 1: Housing Needs Assessment (April 2019)
- Presentation – City of Markham Affordable and Rental Housing Strategy, Housing Needs Assessment and Next Steps (April 29, 2019)
Phase 2:
- Staff Report - Affordable and Rental Housing Study – Phase 2: Policy Framework and Recommendations (February 24, 2020)
- Phase 2 Study - City of Markham Affordable and Rental Housing Study, Phase 2: Policy Framework and Recommendations (February 2020)
- Presentation - City of Markham Affordable and Rental Housing Strategy, Phase 2: Policy Framework and Recommendations (February 24, 2020)
Phase 3:
- Draft Affordable and Rental Housing Strategy Consultation Document (January 2021)
- Presentation – Draft Affordable and Rental Housing Strategy Virtual Community information Meeting
- Markham Draft Affordable and Rental Housing Strategy Virtual Community Public Meeting – Poll Question Responses
Phase 4:
- Staff Report - Affordable and Rental Housing Strategy – DSC (June 22, 2021)
- Appendix A – Housing Choices – Markham’s Affordable and Rental Housing Strategy
- Appendix B – Comparison of Draft Affordable and Final Affordable and Rental Housing Strategy Actions
- Presentation - Affordable and Rental Housing Strategy Presentation – DSC (June 22, 2021)
Related Information
Additional reports related to Markham’s housing work:
- Staff Report – Federal, Provincial and Regional Affordable and Rental Housing Initiatives (February 25, 2019)
- Staff Report – Update on Provincial and Regional Housing Initiatives (September 5, 2018)
- Staff Report – Affordable and Special Needs Housing Strategy: Draft Strategy and Work Program for an Implementation Plan (April 5, 2011)
External Resources and Partners
The City works with a number of partners to address affordable housing needs. Below are links to key housing initiatives from other levels of government:
York Region
- York Region housing and homelessness plan, Housing Solutions: A Place for Everyone
- York Region’s housing page includes information about subsidized housing, emergency and transitional housing and, financial incentives for complete communities
Province of Ontario
- Ontario’s plan to address housing challenges More Homes, More Choice: Ontario’s Housing Supply Action Plan
- Province of Ontario’s Home and Community page includes information on affordable housing and local service managers to find local housing support
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
- Canada’s National Housing Strategy
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation information on buying and renting a home as well as housing data and research
Contact
Duran Wedderburn, Manager, Policy