Building Housing Affordability Through Practical Solutions: OnePoint Meets with MPPs During Spring Advocacy Campaign

ONTARIO, May 29, 2026 — Housing affordability remains one of the most pressing challenges facing communities across Ontario. This spring, representatives from OnePoint Association of REALTORS® met with local Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) to discuss practical solutions to lower housing costs, increase housing supply, and support long-term economic growth.

The meetings formed part of a coordinated advocacy effort with the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA). They focused on advancing policies to address the rising costs of homeownership while ensuring municipalities have the resources they need to support growth.

Housing Affordability and Economic Competitiveness

OnePoint began discussions by recognizing several recent housing measures introduced by the Ontario government, including the proposed expansion of the HST rebate for new homes, the Ontario-Canada infrastructure partnership supports Development Charge reductions, and the introduction of Bill 98.

While these initiatives represent meaningful progress, housing affordability challenges continue to affect first-time buyers, families, seniors, and workers seeking housing closer to employment opportunities. OnePoint emphasized that housing affordability is increasingly linked to Ontario's ability to attract investment, retain skilled workers, and remain economically competitive.

Addressing Development Charges

A key focus of the meetings was the growing impact of Development Charges (DCs) on housing affordability. In many Ontario municipalities, Development Charges now exceed $100,000 on a single-detached home, adding significant costs to new housing and contributing to affordability challenges across the province.

OnePoint and OREA advocated for long-term infrastructure funding solutions that reduce reliance on upfront Development Charges. Recommendations included expanding provincial and federal infrastructure partnerships, exploring alternative financing tools such as Municipal Service Corporations and utility-style infrastructure funding models, and creating permanent intergovernmental mechanisms to coordinate infrastructure planning and investment.

The Association asked MPPs to support discussions with the Province aimed at establishing permanent partnerships to fund and operate growth-related infrastructure while reducing pressure on new housing costs.

Improving Transparency for Homebuyers

OnePoint also highlighted OREA's proposal for a direct-to-buyer Development Charge model.

Under the current system, Development Charges are embedded into the purchase price of a home, creating a compounding effect where buyers also pay HST and Land Transfer Tax on those charges. The proposed model would require Development Charges to be clearly disclosed as separate line items, allowing buyers to finance them through their mortgage while eliminating the current "tax-on-tax" effect.

This approach would improve transparency for consumers, reduce financing pressures on builders, and help lower the overall cost of new housing.

Extending HST Relief

Another key recommendation focused on extending the expanded HST rebate for new homes.

While OnePoint strongly supports the Province's decision to make the rebate available beyond first-time buyers, the current program applies only to agreements signed between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027. OnePoint and OREA recommended extending the rebate through March 31, 2029, providing greater certainty for builders and developers while encouraging future housing investment and supply.

Long-term policy certainty is essential to restarting stalled housing projects and creating the conditions necessary to build more homes across Ontario.

Local Leadership Through Housing Policy Research

During the meetings, OnePoint also highlighted its recently released report, Building Homes, Strengthening Communities. The report evaluates housing policies across ten municipalities within the OnePoint region using best practices identified through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's Housing Accelerator Fund.

The report examines municipal policies related to gentle density, zoning reform, Development Charges, digital approvals, and affordable housing initiatives. Its purpose is to support local governments in identifying opportunities to modernize housing policy and accelerate housing construction.

By combining local research with provincial advocacy, OnePoint continues to position itself as a constructive and credible voice on housing policy throughout Central Ontario.

Looking Ahead

Housing affordability requires collaboration between all levels of government, industry stakeholders, and local communities. Through its Spring 2026 MPP meetings, OnePoint reinforced its commitment to advancing practical, evidence-based solutions that support housing supply, improve affordability, and strengthen Ontario's economic future.

The Association looks forward to continuing conversations with provincial leaders and providing local housing expertise, market data, and policy research to inform future decisions affecting homebuyers, homeowners, and communities across the region.