Human Resources committee  That requires the wisdom of Solomon and we don't have a recommendation for a particular allocation formula. We do want to suggest that it's important that this be available to all types of municipalities, including northern, rural, and large urban ones, and not be limited to one type.

Human Resources committee  I'll just add that we're talking about a very complex array of arrangements regarding housing from coast to coast to coast, with a lot of players. Some are in the public interest and some are in the private interest. We've had a major shift in the market relating to the fact that people now see housing as an investment instrument rather than a place to live.

Human Resources committee  Perhaps we even need to spend some money helping the public understand why intensification is good, why provincial regulations are helpful, and why it is that we need complete communities and why there are complex discussions around that. Nobody wants to reduce the supply of housing.

Human Resources committee  I'll begin and I'll ask Amber to chime in. I don't think the fund is going to solve the problem, but it can certainly make very important contributions. We see the role of the not-for-profit sector and the co-operative housing sector as being absolutely essential to affordability, but you also raise an interesting point, which is that looking at questions of housing affordability without looking at incomes is really only one side of the story.

Human Resources committee  I'll simply add that affordable housing must be part of the equation. The extent to which this fund can assist with deep affordability is something that should be seriously considered. In Ontario, municipalities are keenly incented to increase the amount of affordable housing available, because when housing becomes unaffordable, as our other witnesses will tell you, the result is increased homelessness.

Human Resources committee  I'll let Amber take that one.

Human Resources committee  No, I think that's great, Amber. Thank you.

Human Resources committee  I'll begin. Amber may have some additional comments as well. I'll start with your second question, on the rural-urban divide. We certainly don't have a recommendation in terms of what that allocation needs to look like, but to be sure, this is an impact for rural, remote and northern communities as well.

Human Resources committee  Thank you for the opportunity to appear today before the committee. Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Brian Rosborough, the executive director of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. As the chair mentioned, I am joined today by my colleague Amber Crawford, who is a senior adviser at AMO.