Kitchener receives federal funding as a ‘top-performing city’ for housing

The City of Kitchener is set to receive a boost in federal funding towards the Housing Accelerator Fund initiative, with the government labelling it as a “top-performing city” for housing.

It’s set to receive $4.2 million in additional contributions towards the fund, set to be targeted towards lower-income affordable units.

“Tackling the housing crisis and making sure we have housing options for everyone in Kitchener requires community and government partners to come together in the spirit of collaboration and innovation,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “With the help of the federal government, we are getting more housing of all types built here in Kitchener and advancing our shared priorities that are part of both Canada’s National Housing Strategy and Kitchener’s Housing for All strategy.”

The new boost is set to build on the initial $42.4 million investment from the federal government, which was initially given to make more significant advances in addressing the ongoing housing crisis.

The government said it expects the total funding to aid in the construction of 1,216 new homes by early 2027.

“The City of Kitchener has played a supportive role in this significant initiative, and our ongoing partnership will help make housing more affordable for those in greatest need in our city,” MP for Kitchener-South, Valerie Bradford, said.

Over the past year, Kitchener has increased its quantity of building permits toward triplexes, fourplexes, and backyard accessory dwelling units by approximately 70 per cent. The latest boost in funding is set to be further used in those areas.

Major milestone in homelessness

The funding boost for housing comes just as the municipality is celebrating strides in its Housing for All strategy.

The announcement came at the city’s Planning and Strategic committee meeting on Monday, saying it represents a significant milestone in the overall goal of ensuring all Kitchener residents have a place to call home.

Vrbanovic was a guest on The Mike Farwell Show and said a significant portion of the Housing for All strategy is identifying the City’s role in ending homelessness.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge both the federal government and their work around a national housing strategy and the money that’s been available to us through the Housing Accelerator fund as well as the provincial government and the money that’s been made available to us through the Building Faster fund because we surpassed our targets in 2023 and we look forward to see how we did in 2024,” he said.

Vrbanovic noted an example of the 44 actions completed is the city-owned lands that will soon become affordable housing.

Another example is the city waving development fees for not-for-profits as well as to introduce a not-for-profit affordable rental and co-op housing incentive.

With files from CityNews Kitchener’s Matt Hutcheson.