Inclusionary Zoning

Inclusionary Zoning is a tool in the Planning Act that allows the town to require affordable housing within multi-unit development on lands located within a Protected Major Transit Station Area (PMTSA), such as Midtown Oakville and the Bronte GO area. This helps ensure a mix of housing options for people with different income levels.

Before adopting an Inclusionary Zoning by-law, the town needs to complete a Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) and update the town’s Official Plan. This assessment helps us understand the housing needs in our community, and new policies in the Official Plan authorize the town to pass Inclusionary Zoning by-law(s).

Once these policies and by-laws are in place, the town will work with developers to ensure that a certain proportion of units in new buildings with 10 or more units are affordable to households within certain income range, over a period of time. These policies would be aligned with the recommendations of the Housing Needs Assessment and provided in the in-effect Inclusionary Zoning by-law. This helps create more inclusive and diverse neighbourhoods.

Consultation

Consultation regarding the Housing Needs Assessment Study and enabling policies will take place through three focus group sessions starting fall 2024. In 2025, public engagement will also take place to gather broader community input.