TRREB’s Government Relations Committee (GRC) North Working Group is fighting to ensure you have a voice at every table dedicated to advancing real estate interests in York Region, Barrie, and Simcoe County. We focus on lowering development charges to improve housing affordability for consumers.
Recent TRREB advocacy meeting participants included the mayors from Richmond Hill, Newmarket, and Bradford West Gwillimbury, and finance department representatives from York Regional government and the City of Markham.
These discussions emphasized the need for balanced development charge policies that support municipal infrastructure needs while avoiding undue burdens on homebuyers in a challenging market. Drawing on TRREB’s comprehensive market data and economic insights, our advocacy highlighted how targeted deferrals, reductions, and interest-free options can accelerate housing starts, enhance affordability, and align with provincial objectives for a diverse housing supply.
Recent TRREB advocacy in Vaughan was successful. The city Council reduced development charges by 50 per cent, saving homebuyers a total of $44,000 each when purchasing a single or semi-detached property, and $30,000 when buying a two-bedroom condo or larger.
Current Development Charges from municipalities that TRREB recently met with to illustrate how significant these charges are, adding up to over 20 per cent of each home purchase:
| DC Categories | Markham | Richmond Hill | Newmarket | York Region | Bradford West-Gwillimbury | Simcoe County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single/semi detached | $172,893 | $145,586 | $140,624 | $145,586 | $93,629 | $14,372 |
| Multiple Dwellings | $140,909 | $122,453 | $116,329 | $122,453 | $71,051 | $11,344 |
| Large Apartments (2+ bedrooms) | $111,807 | $96,199 | $91,454 | $96,199 | $38,977 | $7,705 |
| Small Apartments (1 Bedrooms) | $77,952 | $67,207 | 63,952 | $67,207 | $50,299 | $7,705 |
TRREB urges York Region leaders to prioritize these measures, including expanding fee-deferral programs for ground-related and high-rise developments, to drive inclusive growth and protect residents from escalating costs.
TRREB remains dedicated to partnering with the municipalities and stakeholders in York Region and Simcoe County to implement practical solutions. TRREB’s GRC North Working Group will continue monitoring policy developments and facilitating dialogue to champion a thriving housing market.