Frequently Asked Questions

Affordable Housing has different definitions depending on the context. In the 2024 Provincial Planning Statement, Affordable Housing is defined as follows:

• For rental housing, the least expensive of:
  • a unit for which the rent does not exceed 30 percent of gross annual household income for low- and moderate-income households; or
  • a unit for which the rent is at or below the average market rent of a unit in the municipality.
• For ownership housing, the least expensive of:
  • housing for which the purchase price results in annual accommodation costs which do not exceed 30 percent of gross annual household income for low- and moderate-income households; or
  • housing for which the purchase price is at least 10 percent below the average purchase price of a resale unit in the municipality;

The definition of affordability is further defined in the Development Charges Act. 

• For an affordable residential unit which is rented:
  • A residential unit intended for use as a rented residential premises shall be considered to be an affordable residential unit if it meets the following criteria:
    • The rent is no greater than the lesser of,
      • the income-based affordable rent for the residential unit set out in the Affordable Residential Units bulletin, as identified by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and
      •  the average market rent identified for the residential unit set out in the Affordable Residential Units bulletin.
        
        
• For an affordable residential unit which is owned:
  • A residential unit not intended for use as a rented residential premises shall be considered to be an affordable residential unit if it meets the following criteria:
    • The price of the residential unit is no greater than the lesser of,
      • the income-based affordable purchase price for the residential unit set out in the Affordable Residential Units bulletin, as identified by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and
      • 0 per cent of the average purchase price identified for the residential unit set out in the Affordable Residential Units bulletin.

The Development Charges Act, 1997, sets out the criteria for an attainable residential unit. 

A residential unit is considered an attainable residential unit if it meets the following criteria:

1. The residential unit is not an affordable residential unit.
2. The residential unit is not intended for use as a rented residential premises.
3. The residential unit was developed as part of a prescribed development or class of developments.
4. The residential unit is sold to a person who is dealing at arm’s length with the seller.
5. Such other criteria as may be prescribed.