Attainable Housing

Scope of attainable housing

Attainable housing focuses on a mix of low, moderate and high-income housing, including:

• Affordable rental housing (low to moderate income) - rent is at lower rate based on income rather than the typical rental price in the area
• Affordable home ownership (moderate income) - the cost to buy a property is less than typical prices in the real estate market
• Market rental housing (moderate to high income) - the cost of renting a property is based on current rental prices in the area
• Market home ownership (moderate to high income) - the price to buy a property is based on current prices in the real estate market

Attainable housing does not directly address:

• Homeless (low income) - without housing
• Safety net (low income) - temporary, short-term accommodations, including shelters
• Housing with supports (low income) - housing with intensive coordinated services
• Community housing (low income) - rent fluctuates based on actual income

Definitions and housing supply

• Definitions of affordable housing and attainable housing

  Definitions for these terms can be confusing as they may be used differently by different groups or programs.

  Niagara Region uses the following definitions.

  Affordable housing

  The Niagara Official Plan adopted a definition of affordable housing that is used in provincial and federal documents. It is defined as:

  • Housing for which does not cost more than 30 per cent of annual household income for low and moderate income households; or
  • Housing with a purchase price which is at least 10 per cent below the average price of a resale unit in the area; or
  • Housing with rent which is at or below the average market rent of a unit in the area

  Attainable housing

  There is no universal definition for attainable housing.

  Our definition of attainable housing is based on definitions developed by government and other non-profit entities who work in housing.

  Niagara Region defines attainable housing as housing which is:

  • Adequate in condition (no major essential repairs needed)
  • Appropriate in size (bedrooms appropriate for household)
  • Available (a range of housing options)
  • Reasonably priced (attainable to households with incomes that are 80-120 per cent of the average household income for the area)
  • Not in need of government subsidy for rent
• Factors affecting attainable housing supply

  Attainable housing supply is fluid and is influenced by many variables. Competing factors that affect supply include:

  • Interest rates and availability of financing
  • Cost of property and land
  • Cost and access of building materials
  • Availability of skilled trades and construction labour
  • Availability of housing supply (existing and new stock, both rental and ownership)
  • Market demand
  • Socioeconomic conditions (inflation, employee wages, unemployment and workforce participation rates)
  • Changes to household income and debt services
• Housing incentives

  Niagara Region provides some incentives for affordable housing designed to increase supply and protect longer term affordability.

  These programs are under review. More information will be available following the review.

Preventing and Ending...

• Housing and Homelessness Action Plan
• Affordable Housing Strategy
• Attainable Housing Strategy
• Coordinated Access Guide for Homelessness
• Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
• Niagara Counts