Ottawa Home Builders Welcome Provincial Moves to Help Get More Homes Built

OTTAWA – Today, the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) welcomed the 2023 Ontario Fall Economic Statement (FES), titled Building A Strong Ontario Together, which contained measures that will help pave the way for the construction of more places to live, namely new investment in water infrastructure for new homes and the removal of the provincial portion of HST for the construction of new rental homes.

 

“These two moves – new investment to support water infrastructure for homes, and the removal of HST on purpose-built rental projects – speak to significant cost barriers to the construction of new, high-density, multi-family housing,” said Patrick Daniels of Glenview Homes, the President of GOHBA. “It shows that the provincial government is still committed to addressing issues that negatively impact housing affordability and supply.”

 

As part of the FES, the Ontario government announced a new Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, which will provide $200 million over three years for the repair, rehabilitation and expansion of water, wastewater and stormwater projects that promote growth and enable housing development.

 

“We are in a housing crisis across the province. The government’s actions today are crucial, because new housing requires new infrastructure in the areas that the city has identified for growth,” said Jason Burggraaf, the Executive Director of GOHBA. “Every municipality across the province, including Ottawa, needs new homes for their growing population. Provincial investment in more infrastructure addresses a critical factor in housing affordability and the construction of new homes.”

 

The Ontario government also announced it would remove the 8 per cent provincial portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on new purpose-built rental housing such as apartment buildings, student housing and senior residences built specifically for long-term rental accommodation.

 

“Now that both the federal and provincial governments have removed their portions of the HST, many rental construction projects will become more viable for financing,” said Burggraaf. “That means more opportunity, choice and affordability in homes for residents across the province."

 

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For media inquiries please contact,

Jason Burggraaf Executive Director Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association jason@gohba.ca

Emma Maynard Director of Communications Ontario Home Builders’ Association emaynard@ohba.ca