Which brings us to the question, within these constraints, how do we fund subsidized housing in Hamilton?

Well, let me say this about that.

As a former minister of housing, I do have a little bit of expertise here.

The, uh, when you break down the cost of housing, it works out that between eighteen and twenty percent is the cost of land.

Twenty-eight to thirty-two percent are, uh, government, uh, regulations, development charges, and fees that are charged.

So even before you get started, half the, uh, cost of building is laid out pretty firmly.

I've been involved privately and personally with some advocacy around forgiving a tax on new homes and also, uh, working with the federal government in particular around what resulted in an eight point eight billion dollar announcement to offset some of the municipal pressures around development charges.

What are two changes you will propose to improve city services?