Ontario Construction News staff writer
The housing situation in Oakville is becoming less affordable for many people, impacting even those with middle- and higher-incomes, as highlighted in a recent report to the town council this month. Meanwhile, the need for new housing is expected to increase steadily until 2051, posing both difficulties and opportunities for builders.
During the planning and development meeting on Sept. 8, town officials presented the Oakville Housing Needs Assessment, which revealed that most households earning under $106,800 annually can’t afford average market rents in the area. Even individuals with higher earnings find it tough to purchase a home. Households making $54,000 can only afford a bachelor unit at most, while those earning less than $151,000 are unable to buy homes at current prices.
“Most low-income and many moderate-income households cannot afford rental or ownership housing,” stated Alexa Volkov from SHS Consulting, which compiled the assessment. “Even some high-income households are estimated to struggle with current ownership prices without spending beyond their means.”
By 2036, Oakville is projected to gain 92,000 residents along with 35,760 new households; an additional 68,110 households are anticipated by 2051. If construction trends continue as they are now, there will be a significant change in the types of housing available-high-density and medium-density units will increase more rapidly than low-density options.
This transition aims to use land more efficiently while encouraging public transport and active transportation options. Town leaders have stressed that any new apartment buildings should also provide family-friendly housing for those who can’t afford larger single-family lots.
The assessment estimates that by 2036 there will be a requirement for about 35,770 net new homes-15,650 of these as ownership units and 20,100 as rentals. Out of these numbers, around 10,600 ownership units and about 12,880 rental units must meet provincial affordability standards; together they make up roughly 65 percent of all new homes expected. Most affordable units will likely be high-density apartments following current development patterns such as increasing condo sales and more apartment projects starting up. There’s also a demand for various sizes among rental households to accommodate different needs.
Additionally, there’s an imbalance between available housing and what people actually need demographically. While nearly three-quarters of Oakville’s houses have three or more bedrooms, over one-third of local households consist of just one or two individuals. Younger residents aged between 20 to 34 years old and pre-retirees aged from 55 to 64 are leaving town while young families move in.
Mayor Rob Burton emphasized that it’s crucial for Oakville to act quickly so they don’t lose key age groups within their community. “We need housing for the segments of these age groups that we are losing and not providing for so we can have a complete community and provide for all ages,” he said.
The assessment suggests aiming for at least 35 percent of new market housing to be affordable while ensuring that at least half (40 percent) consists of rental units. It also advocates for having a diverse selection of one- and two-bedroom apartments suitable for smaller families while still including family-sized apartments in developments. The report encourages creative approaches like mid-rise buildings or multi-unit infill projects along with laneway houses or triplexes/fourplexes using municipally-owned land dedicated to affordable initiatives.
Oakville coun. Ray Chisholm
Councilor Ray Chisholm raised concerns regarding how funding would be sourced for new affordable housing developments stating that “growth is not paying for itself and major decisions will need to be made regarding how this is handled.” Community advocates like Sara Cumming from Home Suite Hope urged officials towards enforceable timelines alongside stronger collaborations with non-profits or private developers aimed at achieving lasting affordable housing solutions.
The study indicates that by the year 2036 approximately sixty percent of newly constructed units will likely be high-density apartments while twenty-one percent will be medium-density stacked townhouses; eighteen percent represents low-density detached homes or accessory structures overall-all this reveals shifting demographics within Oakville’s growing population across its future landscape.
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By 2036, Oakville is projected to gain 92,000 residents along with 35,760 new households; an additional 68,110 households are anticipated by 2051. If construction trends continue as they are now, there will be a significant change in the types of housing available-high-density and medium-density units will increase more rapidly than low-density options.
This transition aims to use land more efficiently while encouraging public transport and active transportation options. Town leaders have stressed that any new apartment buildings should also provide family-friendly housing for those who can’t afford larger single-family lots.
The assessment estimates that by 2036 there will be a requirement for about 35,770 net new homes-15,650 of these as ownership units and 20,100 as rentals. Out of these numbers, around 10,600 ownership units and about 12,880 rental units must meet provincial affordability standards; together they make up roughly 65 percent of all new homes expected. Most affordable units will likely be high-density apartments following current development patterns such as increasing condo sales and more apartment projects starting up. There’s also a demand for various sizes among rental households to accommodate different needs.
Additionally, there’s an imbalance between available housing and what people actually need demographically. While nearly three-quarters of Oakville’s houses have three or more bedrooms, over one-third of local households consist of just one or two individuals. Younger residents aged between 20 to 34 years old and pre-retirees aged from 55 to 64 are leaving town while young families move in.
Mayor Rob Burton emphasized that it’s crucial for Oakville to act quickly so they don’t lose key age groups within their community. “We need housing for the segments of these age groups that we are losing and not providing for so we can have a complete community and provide for all ages,” he said.
The assessment suggests aiming for at least 35 percent of new market housing to be affordable while ensuring that at least half (40 percent) consists of rental units. It also advocates for having a diverse selection of one- and two-bedroom apartments suitable for smaller families while still including family-sized apartments in developments. The report encourages creative approaches like mid-rise buildings or multi-unit infill projects along with laneway houses or triplexes/fourplexes using municipally-owned land dedicated to affordable initiatives.
Oakville coun. Ray Chisholm
Councilor Ray Chisholm raised concerns regarding how funding would be sourced for new affordable housing developments stating that “growth is not paying for itself and major decisions will need to be made regarding how this is handled.” Community advocates like Sara Cumming from Home Suite Hope urged officials towards enforceable timelines alongside stronger collaborations with non-profits or private developers aimed at achieving lasting affordable housing solutions.
The study indicates that by the year 2036 approximately sixty percent of newly constructed units will likely be high-density apartments while twenty-one percent will be medium-density stacked townhouses; eighteen percent represents low-density detached homes or accessory structures overall-all this reveals shifting demographics within Oakville’s growing population across its future landscape.
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