Too few new homes were started in Oakville in 2023 to earn the town cash from the province’s Building Faster Fund (BFF).
Under its pledge to build 33,000 new homes by 2031, Oakville was given a target of 2,420 housing starts last year.
Meeting that target would have earned it $8.8 million, while getting to 80 per cent of the target would have allowed the town to collect $7.04 million.
The province says Oakville only reached 1,843 housing starts – or 76 per cent of its goal – so doesn’t qualify for cash.
But town staff are questioning the provincial count, arguing that their tracking counted 2,701 starts – or enough to earn $8.8 million in funding.
In a memo to council, town CAO Jane Clohecy explains that the province relies on housing start numbers reported by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
Its data on municipal housing starts is reported here.
"According to CMHC, housing starts are counted by enumerators across the country who visit building sites to confirm the start of housing, as determined by “concrete poured for the whole of the footing around the structure”," says her memo.
The town’s count is based on first inspections that Oakville building inspectors make at every building site ready to construct footings.
Clohecy’s memo says the difference in the numbers results from delays and inconsistencies in CMHC counting, as well as the fact that the agency did not include 167 accessory dwellings (such as basement apartments) created in 2023.
Clohecy and Mayor Rob Burton have "engaged in significant advocacy with a range of representatives from both the provincial government and the CMHC," she says.
They are pushing for 2023 BFF money for Oakville, arguing that the town’s building start data is the most accurate and timely.
"As a result of Oakville’s work, a number of neighbouring municipalities have reached out to town staff to understand our approach to tracking, and lessons learned from our ongoing engagement with CMHC and the province," says Clohecy’s memo.
She added that the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is working to bring forward a united municipal voice to advocate for the use of high-quality, timely data.
"I'm optimistic the province will make appropriate improvements to how they operate the BFF," Mayor Rob Burton told Oakville News.
Ongoing BFF funding is also available to municipalities for 2024 and 2025, should they meet housing start targets.
- In 2024, Oakville has a BFF target of 2,750 housing starts.
- In 2025, Oakville has a BFF target of 3,300 housing starts.
Oakville’s data on its housing starts, including a breakdown of different dwelling types, can be found on its new data hub.
