The Ontario government is putting measures in place to accelerate the construction of student housing across the province, including two new residence buildings at Western University

Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, made the announcement during a visit to London on July 30.

“Access to safe and affordable housing is crucial to the success of all postsecondary students,” he said. “For too long in Ontario, red tape was making it difficult for our partners to build homes. That’s why our government has been taking action to remove those barriers and make it easier to build housing of all types, including student accommodation. Today’s announcement is a testament to our government’s focus to unleash opportunity across our province.”

Specifically, Ontario has exempted publicly assisted universities from the Planning Act. Doing so, it says, will enable these institutions to build more student housing faster and better meet the needs of their student populations.

These universities, like publicly assisted colleges, are no longer subject to many municipal planning approvals, which can save years in approvals, avoid planning application fees, and remove barriers to building higher density student residences.

Along with these changes, all publicly assisted colleges and universities are now required to publish student housing policies to improve information and provide resources for students seeking housing options.

The province’s Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act aims to cut red tape associated with building homes. The legislation takes significant action to streamline approvals and increase housing and infrastructure development across Ontario.