Building Vaughan for current and future generations

As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada with an ever increasing population, Vaughan is a place people want to call home. To ensure this dream can be a reality, the City of Vaughan is committed to forward-looking planning that supports building complete communities and ensuring residents aren’t priced out of the neighbourhoods they grew up in.

As of 2022, Vaughan had a population of more than 344,000 people and 240,100 jobs. Now through 2051, those numbers will grow by 228,800 more people, bringing the total expected population to more than 573,000. By that time, there will be 111,400 more jobs created here, raising the total expected employment figure to about 351,500 jobs. This anticipated growth over the next few decades will account for almost one-third of York Region’s collective growth.

So, how we are managing this expansive growth and building Vaughan for current and future generations? Here are the actions we’re taking to plan a city of today and tomorrow: 

Planning and developments

To build new and expand existing communities, the City is leveraging innovative solutions to expedite permit approvals to get shovels in the ground and work underway faster and more efficiently. 

In fact, the City issued more than 3,077 building permits in 2023. This amounts to over $2.5 billion in building construction value. Of the 2023 total dollar amount, more than $1.9 billion is for the construction value of residential developments. Commercial projects make up more than $173 million, more than $351 million is from industrial developments, institutional projects add up to more than $73 million and the outstanding $22 million is a result of other developments throughout the city. 

For the year 2023, there are currently 6,132 units under construction and an additional 3,471 units that received occupancy.

The City has also undertaken multiple secondary plans in prominent areas – like the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC), Weston Road and Highway 7, Yonge Street and Steeles Avenue, Vaughan Mills and the Promenade Centre – to develop new residential units and support the redevelopment of these corridors to support Vaughan’s growing population. The City also has blueprints in place and is working to improve Vaughan’s critical road networks through projects such as the Kirby Road Extension and the Teston Road Environmental Assessment.

Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC)

The projected growth in the VMC – Vaughan’s downtown core – is unprecedented. Construction is underway to build 5,649 new residential units for 11,185 future residents. An additional 11,710 residential units, enough to house 23,186 future residents, were approved by Council this year. A total of 17,891 residential units, accounting for 35,424 potential future residents, are currently proposed through active development applications subject to Council approval. And the realization of developments that are occupied, under construction or approved, represents more than 42,000 residents living in more than 21,000 units, greatly exceeding the population target established for the 2031 planning horizon. Learn more in the VMC Sub-Committee Report: VMC Development Activity Update October 2023 (PDF).

Housing Pledge

On March 21, 2023, Vaughan Council approved a staff report that commits the City to achieving the Province’s Housing Pledge. The City’s provincially mandated housing target is 42,000 new homes by 2031. Read the Committee of the Whole (1) Report: More Homes for Everyone Act, 2022 – Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator (PDF) for more information. Mayor Steven Del Duca also issued a statement on this commitment that same day, following Council’s approval. 

Housing Accelerator Fund

On Oct. 5, 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Vaughan will receive $59 million to build more housing units as part of the federal Housing Accelerator Fund. The Government of Canada and City of Vaughan have agreed to expedite the creation of more than 1,700 new housing units and incentivize thousands of additional homes over the next three years. This is the most significant housing investment in Vaughan's history. 

Building infrastructure

The City delivers a wide range of services to residents, including providing clean drinking water, managing wastewater and stormwater systems, maintaining safe roadways, operating community centres, libraries, parks, fire and rescue services, and so much more. To plan for the future, the City proactively and responsibly manages and maintains its infrastructure assets, such as traffic lights, roads, bridges, buildings, watermains, vehicles, parks, trees and more, so residents can continue to access world-class amenities and receive high-quality public services for years to come.

In 2023, the City assumed ownership of – and now maintains – 18 kilometres of new watermains, 15.4 kilometres of new sanitary sewers, 13.4 kilometres of new storm sewers, 13.6 kilometres of new roads, 458 new streetlights, 18.7 kilometres of new sidewalks and 30 kilometres of new curbs. This infrastructure is vital to new development areas, like subdivisions, as it’s how the City builds complete communities. A complete community is one where residents can live, work, play and travel all in close proximity. It includes residential mixed-uses, is transit-supportive, has a seamless road network, supports active transportation and features pedestrian-friendly spaces. 

New infrastructure is vital to development – and new development is how the city prospers. To learn more about the City’s planning and development process visit vaughan.ca/PlanningProcess.

QUOTE

“Vaughan has always been a destination of choice that people dream of calling home. A place where future generations want to raise their families, start businesses and enjoy an unrivalled quality of life. Building more housing options gives our kids and grandkids an opportunity to succeed and raise their families in the neighbourhoods they grew up in. Together, we’ve established a solid foundation for our city, and now we’re working to build its bright future.”

- Mayor Steven Del Duca

QUICK FACTS 

• Now through 2051, Vaughan will become home to 228,800 more people, bringing the total expected population to more than 573,000. Vaughan’s expected growth will account for almost one-third of York Region’s growth over the next three decades.
• In 2023, the City’s assumed infrastructure includes 18 kilometres of watermains, 15.4 kilometres of sanitary sewers, 13.4 kilometres of storm sewers, 13.6 kilometres of roads, 458 streetlights, 18.7 kilometres of sidewalks and 30 kilometres of curbs.
• In 2023, the City issued 3,077 building permits with over 2.5 billion in construction value. 
• Construction is underway in the VMC to build 5,649 new residential units for 11,185 future residents. An additional 11,710 residential units, enough to house 23,186 future residents, have been approved by Council this year.
• On March 21, 2023, Vaughan Council approved a staff report that commits the City of Vaughan to achieving the Province’s Housing Pledge.
• On Oct. 5, 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the City of Vaughan will receive $59 million to build more housing units as part of the federal Housing Accelerator Fund.

LEARN MORE 

• Mayor Del Duca’s March 21, 2023 statement: Vaughan commits to Province's Housing Pledge
• Feb. 28, 2023 Committee of the Whole (1) Report: More Homes for Everyone Act, 2022 – community Infrastructure and housing accelerator (PDF)
• Mayor Del Duca’s Oct. 3, 2023 Member’s Resolution: Reducing Barriers To More Affordable Housing Options (PDF)
• Oct. 4, 2023 VMC Sub-Committee Report: VMC Development Activity Update October 2023 (PDF)
• Mayor Del Duca’s Oct. 5, 2023 statement: Mayor Del Duca welcomes $59 million in historic federal housing investment to Vaughan