HOUSING ACCELERATOR FUND

The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is a federal program that is administered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The program is intended to drive transformational change within the sphere of local government regarding land use planning and development approvals. The Fund’s objective is to create more housing supply at an accelerated pace and to enhance certainty in the approvals and building process.

North Middlesex is set to receive $1.89 million in funding through the Housing Accelerator Fund over four years, from 2025 to 2028. The Municipality has already received the first tranche of $474,735 for 2025. Continued funding for Years 2 and 3 will depend on the Municipality’s progress in meeting the goals outlined in its Action Plan. To receive the final tranche of funding, North Middlesex must reach a target of 130 new housing units by the end of the program.

The Municipality is committed to the timely completion of the Action Plan initiatives that will accelerate and permit new housing development for years to come. Additional details regarding the Municipality’s Action Plan initiatives are available below. The Municipality has partnered with the County of Middlesex and other HAF successful local municipalities to implement these initiatives in a cost effective and efficient manner. The HAF funds cover the cost of initiative implementation. 

ACTION PLAN INITIATIVES

Ending Exclusionary Zoning

The Municipality will review and amend the Zoning By-law to remove low-density zoning that excludes housing types, such as affordable and social housing, and which limits the variety of housing types in residential areas. Further, this initiative encourages mixed-use and higher-density development by allowing as-of-right zoning in certain areas in the Municipality. This initiative would also allow 4 units as-of-right within the Municipality’s fully serviced settlement areas.

Create a process for the disposal of city-owned land assets for the development of affordable housing as-of-right

The Municipality will conduct a review of publicly owned lands within the Municipality to determine residential development potential.  This review will include a feasibility analysis and process review for the disposal of publicly owned lands and assets for the development of affordable housing.  Any lands identified through the review would be inventoried with appropriate information for prospective developers and/or municipal partners.

Eliminate Restrictions

The Municipality will review and amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to include updated policy direction and an updated regulatory framework that is designed to reduce restrictions and increase flexibility. The updated framework will encourage both residential and mixed-use development in an efficient manner by maximizing the development potential of certain lands within the Municipality’s settlement areas as well as reducing the requirement for rezonings to get housing built faster.

Develop affordable housing community improvement plans (CIPs)

The Municipality will review and amend the existing CIP to diversify the incentives available specifically related to housing. This initiative will create incentives that are available to a range of housing types on the housing continuum, with priority being placed on locations within existing settlement areas that can utilize existing infrastructure and are in close proximity to services and amenities.

Design and Implement Guidelines

This initiative is designed to encourage the creation of Additional Residential Units (ARUs) by developing an ARU toolkit, which will be available to interested parties on the Municipality’s website. The toolkit will contain applicable planning and building requirements necessary to facilitate an expedited permitting process. Additionally, the Municipality will work with the building department to explore the feasibility of providing pre-reviewed designs for ARUs.

CONTACT

Carolyn Tripp, Chief Administrative Officer

519-294-6244 x 3233

@email

229 Parkhill Main Street, Parkhill, ON N0M 2K0