Doug Ford's government is looking to pause affordable housing requirements for new residential developments near transit hubs in Toronto, Mississauga and Kitchener, saying they are deterring construction during a housing crisis.

The proposed amendment would pause inclusionary zoning in the three Ontario cities where it exists until July 2027. The planning tool lets cities compel developers to rent a portion of units below market value — at 30 per cent of the household's gross income — in new builds near major transit stations.

The proposal comes as Ontario has fallen behind its goal of building 1.5 million new homes across the province over 10 years, prompting Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack to say last year it was now a "soft" target.