Both the New Democrats and Progressive Conservatives in Ontario commit to building 1.5 million homes in 10 years as the province struggles with supply shortages and price inflation.

New Democratic Party leader Andrea Horwath described her housing plan today, which was first released in November 2020, and has since been updated to include home purchase loans to help first-time buyers with a down payment.

Regarding supply, the New Democrats say that 1.5 million homes will be a mix of starter homes, purpose-built rentals, and affordable housing units, partly achieved by ending exclusionary zoning.

Changing municipal zoning rules to allow more types of housing to be built beyond single-family homes was a key recommendation from the Housing Affordability Task Force report commissioned by the Progressive Conservative government.

The Conservatives pledged to use the report as the basis for their long-term housing strategy, but legislation earlier this year failed to include this measure and many other key recommendations — something the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing blamed on a lack of municipal engagement in the process.

The Liberals have not yet released their housing plan, but Liberal leader Steven Del Duca criticized the Conservatives' plan for lacking support for renters and first-time home buyers.