Rental Housing Protection Policy Review

Rental housing is a key part of the City’s housing continuum and is a significant contributor to affordable housing options in the City. In addition to initiatives that create new affordable housing, it is important to maintain existing affordable units. This is one of the reasons why municipalities include policies in Official Plans that limit conversions of rental housing to condominium (ownership) tenure, and that limit rental demolitions, to maintain the limited supply of these units. 

The City has recently undertaken a review of its rental housing protection policies in the Urban Hamilton Official Plan and is proposing changes to its policy and planning process framework surrounding conversions of primary rental housing to condominium tenure and demolitions of primary rental housing. Policy changes proposed are intended to establish appropriate limitations to manage change and ensure protection for existing affordable rental housing units. 

The City is also proposing to establish a permit process for conversions and demolitions by passing a by-law under the Municipal Act. This is intended to be used as a tool to implement the Official Plan directions. The permit process has been identified as a key part of the City’s strategy that could strengthen protections for rental housing and provide a consistent process for applications to convert or demolish rental housing. It would also permit the City to attach conditions to a permit, such as requiring legal agreements for replacement units in a new development, providing tenant assistance, and other conditions.