August 20, 2024 — The Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) applauds today’s announcement by the Ontario government regarding the release of the updated Provincial Planning Statement (PPS), formerly the Provincial Policy Statement. This new PPS is a critical step forward in empowering municipalities with the tools and flexibility they need to expedite the construction of new homes, aligning with the Ontario government’s ongoing efforts to cut red tape and streamline approvals.

 

“Ottawa has a housing pledge of 151,000 new homes locally by 2032,” said Jason Burggraaf, GOHBA Executive Director. “This updated PPS better defines the path we need to take and will help all levels of government to align their efforts to address the current housing supply and affordability crisis.”

 

The PPS sets the policy foundation for regulating the development and use of land province-wide. Critical improvements in the updated PPS include:

 

• Standardizing municipal population and employment growth forecasts across the province by using Ministry of Finance projections.
• Simplifying how municipalities can manage their settlement areas.
• Delineating specific boundaries and minimum density targets for major transit station areas and higher-order transit corridors.

 

“We need to increase both the supply and diversity of housing in Ottawa and across the province,” Burggraaf said. “Increasing the speed and affordability to build all types of homes means more choice for all of Ottawa’s residents — not only for those looking for a home of their own now or who will be in the future, but also for those of us who have a home currently but will want the ability to move at some point.

 

“This new PPS is welcome news for all of us as it ensures there is clear direction on increasing housing supply, which is the critical step to improve housing affordability in communities big and small across the province.”

 

For additional information or to schedule an interview, contact Jason Burggraaf at jason@gohba.ca.

 

The Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association has been the proud voice for excellence in the home building community since 1951. Builders, developers, renovators, trade contractors, suppliers and manufacturers make up the core of the Association’s membership of over 430 companies. New home construction and professional renovation account for more than 38,000 jobs, $2.7 billion in wages and $5.7 billion in economic investment across Ottawa.