Housing

Table 1 - Residential Housing statistics for 2018- 2022 (Census of Canada, 2021)

The majority of housing types in North Bay are single detached dwelling units, which represents 48.7% of the total housing stock (table 2). 

Table 2 - Housing Types in North Bay (Census of Canada, 2021)

The Plan will encourage intensification and infill opportunities which would utilize existing infrastructure and reduce the need for the expansion of sewer & water and other services and reduce green-house gas emissions. The Plan will also support the development of affordable, inclusive, equitable and diverse communities that encourage clear pathways to achieve greater socio-economic inclusion largely achieved through the equitable provision of housing across the entire housing spectrum. The proposed initiatives of the Housing Action Plan will incentivize the implementation of local actions that remove barriers to housing supply, accelerate the growth of supply, and support the development of communities that are aligned with housing as a right and the needs within North Bay. 

Click here to view the Housing Action Plan in full

The City's population is 52,662 which represents a 2.2% population increase since 2016 (Census, 2021). The number of housing units needed per year currently exceeds the City's projected population growth.

Through a projected growth estimate, the City will need an additional 350 housing units between 2021-2016 which represents 70 housing units per year. This is generally in-line with the average number of housing units constructed since 2018 which is approximately 98 housing units per year. 

The current household size averages 2.2 people per housing unit, which is projected to decrease as the population continues to age. As young adults look to purchase their first homes and aging people look to downsize and/or age in place, there is and will continue to be a need for different housing options. The Housing Action Plan initiatives aim to create transformational change in the City of North Bay and permit innovative policies and approval processes to accelerate the supply of housing units in the City. 

• Housing Action Plan
• Growth Community Improvement Plan (GCIP)
• Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) Policies 

The Province of Ontario has also recognized the housing crisis through the ‘More Homes, More Choice: Ontario’s Housing Supply Action Plan’. The province has estimated a need for an additional 1.5 million housing units within the next 10 years. Ontario has identified that 83% of buyers can’t afford the average cost of resale homes. Resale home prices have risen by 8-9% and the rental prices have risen by 10-15%.

Ontario recognizes the need for additional housing units and options, however, the timeline to get new units built has created additional barriers. He province has identified a five-point plan to achieve the additional housing units at an attainable price. 

Resources: 

• More Homes Built Faster 
• Housing in Ontario 

The Federal Government of Canada, through the 'National Housing Strategy' has identified that the country is in a housing crisis. The strategy identifies housing as an essential component to the inherent dignity and well-being of citizens. The strategy also identifies that housing should be attainable to all social economic levels and meet the diverse needs of the people and cultures of Canada. 

The Government of Canada has introduced the 'Housing Accelerator Fund' with the goal of creating more housing units. The fund provides funding to municipal governments encouraging initiatives aimed at increasing housing supply. The fund also supports the development of complete, low-carbon and climate resilient communities that are affordable, inclusive, equitable and diverse. 

Resources:

• National Housing Strategy 
• Housing Accelerator Fund