In Jan. 2024, the City of St. Catharines secured an investment of $25.7 million to boost housing supply in the city. The funding is through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), a $4 billion initiative that offers financial support to local governments for expediting the development of new homes.
As part of the Housing Accelerator Fund, the City will be holding a public meeting to consider a proposed increase to the grant amount for the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) program, offered as part of the City's Community Improvement Plan (CIP). City Council will receive input and comment form the public on the proposed incentive increase, after which Council will consider approval of the proposed amendment to the program. The Council meeting takes place Monday, Aug. 12, at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 50 Church St. You can also participate electronically. For information on how to access and participate, and how to make a delegation before Council, visit www.stcatharines.ca/Council.
The action plan for HAF commits to seven initiatives, fostering a range of housing types and densities to cater to the diverse needs of the community. The initiatives are as follows:
- Municipal Development Corporation (MDC). The MDC will work with private sector and non-profit partners to develop housing and mixed-use, transit-oriented developments on surplus and under-utilized City-owned lands.
- Development Feasibility Support. The initiative will provide support for development feasibility by increasing internal capacity in the Planning and Building Services department through continued modernization efforts and enhanced online services for the development community.
- Inclusive Housing Initiative. The initiative aims to foster a housing environment that prioritizes inclusion and adaptability, focusing on the needs of an aging population and individuals with disabilities. The goal is to promote housing diversity and affordability and incentivize accessibility initiatives throughout the city.
- Missing Middle Initiatives. The initiative proposes integrating financial support with the City’s progressive housing policies. The milestones will enhance housing diversity, affordability, and sustainability, responding directly to the community's expressed needs and preferences.
- Sanitary Sewer Asset Management Initiatives for Housing Intensification. The initiative takes a systemic view of development by addressing key facets crucial for housing intensification and commercial expansion. One potential barrier that could have significant impact to new housing is localized sewer capacity limitations. The initiative aims to remove such constraints by mitigating stormwater infiltration into sanitary sewers, thereby freeing up essential sanitary sewer capacity.
- Climate-Resilient Housing Development Plan. The Climate-Resilient Housing Development Plan (CRHDP) is an initiative designed to mitigate the impacts of climate change on housing within the city. The CRHDP will place housing at the core of climate adaptation strategies, focusing on resilient construction, community engagement, sustainable urban planning, and interdepartmental collaboration.
- Niagara Region Housing Innovation Hub. The Niagara Region Housing Innovation Hub is an initiative aimed at fostering a distinctive and collaborative space where local business growth, innovative housing solutions, community collaboration, and international perspectives will converge. Recognizing the interconnectedness of housing, regional economic development, and global trends, such as the impact of international students on housing supply, the Hub will serve as a catalyst for creativity, sustainability, efficiency, and resilience.
The HAF initiatives are projected to result in more than 2,600 housing units over a three-year period. The seven initiatives will transform housing approvals and unlock thousands of potential units over the next 10 years.
Housing Accelerator Fund updates are posted below:
- On Feb. 12, 2024, City Council approved a new Planning and Building Affordable Housing Fee Reimbursement Policy. Council authorized the use of up to $50,000 from the Affordable Housing Reserve and the Housing Accelerator Fund. In order to be considered under the policy, eligible projects must provide new affordable non-ownership housing, including expansions or conversions of existing buildings that result in new affordable non-ownership housing. Projects also need to provide a minimum of 11 new dwelling units or beds, and 30 per cent of all new dwelling units need to meet the definition of affordable non-ownership housing. In the past, these types of requests were considered by Council on a case-by-case basis.
- As part of the HAF, an increase to the grant amount for the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) program in the City's Community Improvement Plan (CIP), is being proposed. Subject to a legislated public meeting, this amendment will be considered during a public meeting on August 12, at which time public input and comment will be welcome.