Brantford 'answers the call' to address housing crisis

Article content

A University of Ottawa report measuring new home construction and sales in the Greater Golden Horseshoe area gives Brantford an A+.

Article content

The report, done for the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON), puts Brantford at the head of the class. It looked at housing starts and sales in 34 municipalities including Toronto, Guelph, Vaughan, Pickering and Oakville.

Of the 34 municipalities, 22 received an F, five others a D with the remaining receiving a C or higher.

Brantford was the only municipality to receive an A+ followed by Milton with an A.

“This report shows that when the federal and provincial governments called on municipalities to do whatever they could to address the housing crisis, Brantford answered the call,” Mayor Kevin Davis said. “It shows the measures we’ve implemented to facilitate housing construction are working.”

Article content

RESCON is a provincial association of residential builders, which provides leadership and fosters innovation in the industry.

The study used information from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Altus Group.

RESCON said researchers did a deep dive on housing starts, sales and industry employment for the first six months of 2025, relative to the same time period over the previous four years (2021-2025).

“Unlike most municipalities included in this report, housing starts in Brantford have increased significantly compared to the same point in previous years,” the study says. “The increase in new home construction is driving new job creation.”

The hike in housing starts is estimated to have increased the number of jobs in Brantford by 1,555, the report says.

Article content

Davis said the city’s success is the result of several measures including the reduction or elimination of development charges in certain circumstances and a property tax increment grant program.

The tax incentive program allows developers who are building apartments they will continue to own to pay a reduced level of property tax – 10 per cent – of what is owed in the first year. The amount of property tax paid increases annually until the owner reaches the full amount owed, usually within 10 or 11 years.

The mayor said developers have told him the program makes some projects feasible.

In April 2025, the developer constructing two apartment buildings at 30 Galileo Blvd. said the city’s program to promote development of grey fields made the project feasible. The buildings will generate about 300 rental units including some that will be available for below market rent.

Article content

The city’s grey fields program includes a tax increment grant.

Davis said the city is aiding construction of housing to meet the needs of all residents. That includes those requiring affordable housing.

The list of municipally-led affordable housing includes Lucy Marco Place, a 41-unit affordable apartment building to house some of the city’s most vulnerable residents, among others.

“We’re also taking over the former Fox Ridge building on West Street to expand our shelter service and we’re working with non-profits like the Jaycees to get housing built,” Davis said. “I think this shows what can be accomplished when we all work together.”

Vball@postmedia.com

@EXPVBall

Article content