Shoemaker doesn’t think premier’s housing announcement will significantly impact us

Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Matthew Shoemaker isn't convinced an announcement today by Premier Doug Ford will have much effect on our city.

Speaking today at the Association of Municipalities Ontario in London, the premier announced housing targets have been assigned to 21 municipalities – including the Sault – as part of a plan to build at least 1.5 million homes by 2031.

If Sault Ste. Marie pledges, through Mayor Shoemaker, to achieve its target, it will get access to a new $1.2-billion Building Faster Fund, which will provide up to $400 million per year over three years to municipalities that have committed in writing to achieve their overall 2031 housing target.

Ten per cent of that funding will be reserved for small, rural and northern communities that haven't been assigned a housing target by the province to support unique needs and circumstances.

"I don't anticipate the legislative changes will have a significant impact on Sault Ste. Marie," Shoemaker told SooToday in a statement emailed from the AMO conference.

"At this point, we have been made aware of the broad policy decision proposed by the premier, but we don’t have any specifics about what it will entail."

"I do know the premier is keen to encourage the construction of more housing options across the province, and it is something we are already working on.

"Myself and two city councillors are members of the city's housing task force, and the development of our proposed housing target will be reached with our collective input," Shoemaker said.

"I’m confident council will ultimately agree on a target that meets the needs of the community.”

"I strongly believe in cultivating consensus – that's what I have done my best to do as mayor and will continue to do regardless of any policy change implemented by the Ontario government.

"Working with council to reach decisions is how I have, and will continue to approach to the mayor's role."

Municipalities with targets will also be given so-called 'strong mayor' powers if their heads of council have agreed, in writing by Oct. 15, to meet their targets.

Sault Ste. Marie's assigned target is 1,500 new homes by 2031.

"For municipalities with targets, each municipality’s portion of the $400 million annually will be determined based on their share of the greater provincial housing supply goal, as well as their performance compared to their annual assigned targets," said a background document released today by the province.

"For example, if a municipality’s target represents 10 per cent of the province-wide target, that municipality will be eligible for 10 per cent of funding through the Building Faster Fund."