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The Oakville Beaver, W e d n e s d a y July 3, 2002 - A 5 Developer incentives possible for creation of rental units B u t H a lto n c o u n c illo r s s a y n o to p u r c h a s in g p r o p e r ty In recent weeks, the federal government announced its inten tion of getting back into the housing business. A new afford able housing program is expect ed to see the Region receive funding for about 400 units within Halton. "It's a first step, but it is an inadequate one." said Mulvale. "The details are not finalized and I am concerned the province W'on't take part (in funding)." Changes may also be intro duced at the local level to make rental units more attractive to developers. The Region will also give consideration to the creation of a new property tax class specific to rental units, as well as the reduction or elimination of development charges for rental units. Regional staff will return to council with a recommenda tion on these matters in September. However, not everyone on council is comfortable with even considering offering tax and development charge breaks. Burlington Councillor Jack Dennison strictly opposed the idea, saying the move would put added burden of the existing property tax base. "Essentially, the rest of the taxpayers would be subsidizing this. I don't want to see further regressive taxation," he said. By Richard Vivian SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Developer incentives for the creation of rental units will be looked at, but Halton Region w on't be involved in purchasing property for affordable housing units. If the Region took the lead role and purchased property for future rental units, the province would get the wrong message. Oakville Mayor Ann Mulvale told council recently. "I'm very concerned about us becoming too eager to rush to fill this void, which is quite clearly the federal and provincial gov ernm ents' responsibility." she said, calting for increased uppertier government spending. "1 acknowledge that there's money in the (regional) budget, but with the situation still unfolding. I think it's premature." Halton's health and social services committee recently rec ommended taking up to S2 mil lion from the social housing reserve fund to purchase proper ties for future rental units. Purchased lands were intended for use as donations to commu nity partnership initiatives designed to create affordable housing. But since purchasing the property w asn't approved, regional staff were instead directed to look around and identify some perspective sites. While stepping away from purchasing property -- at least for now -- councillors approved a variety of incentives aimed at boosting the number of rental units built in the region. Not the least of which is endorsing continued efforts to lobby the federal and provincial governments to offer tax incen tives to developers of affordable for July & August 20 minute sunbeds. Offer valid until August 31/02. " I'm very concerned about us becoming too eager to rush to fill this void, which is quite clearly the federal and provincial governments' responsibility." · Mayor Ann Mulvale housing. "I recognize the need (for affordable housing) not only in the community that I represent, but in Halton at-large. One of the things that I really advocate against is this sort of download ing," Milton Mayor Gord Krantz said o f the provincial and federal governments backing away from housing funding in recent years. "The private sector will not get into this unless they can turn a profit. It's that plain and sim ple." BkbT lA N b , BEST PRICES ^ 7 7 Bronte R oad South, O a k v ille 9 0 5 -4 6 5 -2 2 9 4 TAEKW Ort-OO T a e k w o n - d o is k n o w n a s o n e o f t h e b e s t m e a n s o f d e v e l o p i n g a n d e n h a n c in g : H O R IZ O N · C onfidence · Self-C ontrol · Physical Fitness W e o ffe r: · Separate Children & Adult Classes · Day & Evening Classes · Classes 7 Days a Week · 24 Hr. 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