As the Township continues to grow, with its population expected to reach 51,000 by 2051, the local housing market faces increasing pressure, as demand outpaces supply. The Township recognizes the challenges many residents face in securing housing that meets their diverse needs, particularly when it comes to affordable options. In response to these housing challenges, the Township is actively exploring and introducing ways to increase the supply of affordable housing in our rural communities like Elmira and St. Jacobs, and Breslau, which has seen and will continue to experience significant growth in population.

The policy supports the housing commitments in the Township's Affordable Housing Framework and builds on initiatives undertaken following the Township's 2024 Federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) funding. This page offers an early look at the model behind the policy and its moving components.

What it is
The Affordable Housing Policy is the Township's overarching policy for increasing affordable housing in the Township. The Policy introduces a new Housing Reserve Fund, a dedicated fund that collects money from range of sources to be used for affordable housing initiatives in our communities. The Policy also introduces a new Affordable Housing Grant Program, through which the Township directs funding from the Housing Reserve Fund toward projects that bring forward housing residents at a range of incomes can afford and help keep them affordable over time.

How contributions work
The policy gives the development community two voluntary options to support affordable housing in the Township. The development community can provide affordable housing units directly as part of their development, or they can make a cash contribution to the Housing Reserve Fund. Contributions can also come from other community members, groups, and organizations. These generous, voluntary contributions give the Township flexibility to grow affordable housing supply in the way that best fits the needs of our growing communities.

How the fund is used
Money in the Housing Reserve Fund can only be used for initiatives that increase affordable housing supply in the Township. One of the Township-led initiatives includes introducing a new Affordable Housing Grant Program, through which the Township directs funding received in the Housing Reserve Fund toward projects that bring forward housing, that residents at a range of incomes can afford and help keep them affordable over time.

Why it matters
Housing affordability is one of the most pressing challenges facing our communities, and many others across Canada. Meeting it takes more than any single action. This policy is one of the ways we bring the pieces together, and it will continue to grow as we learn and hear new ideas. Currently, developers will have two options: they can contribute voluntary affordable housing units as part of their projects or make a cash contribution to the Housing Reserve Fund. And just like developers, anyone who wants to help, including community groups, organizations, and businesses, will be able to make a voluntary cash contribution to the Fund. The Fund will put those contributions to work, one of which is the Affordable Housing Grant Program, which will direct support to projects on the ground. Everyone involved plays a part, and together those parts add up to more affordable housing and stronger communities, today and for the long term. As this work moves forward, we welcome new ideas on how our community can keep building on it together.

Action Required
This page will be updated as the policy develops. To stay informed on the Affordable Housing Policy, please subscribe to this page.