Jennifer Keesmaat promises to build 100,000 affordable housing units if elected mayor
In her first official platform announcement since entering the upcoming Toronto mayoral race, former chief city planner Jennifer Keesmaat announced her plans to tackle the rental crisis in the city.
At Charles Hastings Co-op on Tuesday, Keesmaat announced if elected mayor, she promises to build 100,000 units of “truly affordable, high-quality housing within the next 10 years.”
Housing in Toronto has gotten too expensive, and we need to take bold action, now. That’s why I am committing to build 100,000 units of truly affordable, high-quality housing within the next 10 years. #KeesmaatForMayor pic.twitter.com/EYj7gi1pHT
— jennifer keesmaat (@jen_keesmaat) August 7, 2018
The mayoral hopeful says a great challenge to affordability in Toronto is housing, and by partnering with the industry she can deliver housing at a scale that matches the current need.
A great challenge to affordability in Toronto is housing. We can partner with industry to deliver housing at a scale that matches the need. As a city, we have land at our disposal. The industry has expertise + resources to make it happen. Required: political will and innovation.
— jennifer keesmaat (@jen_keesmaat) August 7, 2018
Keesmaat’s affordable rental plans are aimed at providing a new tier of housing in Toronto at a new scale by addressing the rental gap, which includes young people, key workers, and seniors.
This is focused specifically on adding a new tier of housing in our city at a new scale – affordable rental. It address a gap – for young people, for key workers, for seniors. I will be presenting a plan to address every aspect of housing in Toronto — stay tuned.#KeesmaatForMayor https://t.co/rpwpU9aLGT
— jennifer keesmaat (@jen_keesmaat) August 7, 2018
More plans of her housing platform will be unveiled at a later date, says Keesmaat.