Goderich Mayor John Grace
The Mayor of Goderich says the town is in an affordable housing “crisis.”
Mayor John Grace says affordable housing is the current largest threat to the town’s economic expansion.
“The idea of growing the community is great. Grow with purpose,” Grace says.
“We can’t keep on building large houses or expensive houses without growing the affordable and attainable housing market.”
Grace says Goderich Town Hall is best equipped to deal with the lack of affordable housing most quickly, more so than the provincial and federal governments.
“It takes so long for the provincial and federal government to move the bar. We can’t wait,” Grace tells Country 104.9 News.
Grace says the use of a Community Improvement Plan — which allows municipal governments to direct funds and implement policy initiatives towards a specific goal — will help get the ball rolling soonest.
“Council is looking at this very seriously. We know that we are in a crisis when it comes to affordable and attainable housing,” Grace says”
“The fastest way of doing it is by local by-laws and incentives, and opportunities the town itself can create.”