Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan

Tiny Hope

The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is a federal program that is run through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) with the objective to create more supply of housing at an accelerated pace and to enhance certainty in the approvals and building process.

St. Thomas is eligible to receive $6.65M in funding over a four-year period from 2025-2028. The City has already received the Year 1 funding for 2025 in the amount of $1.66M. Years 2 and 3 funding is contingent upon the City achieving its Action Plan initiatives and milestones with progress towards a housing target. Year 4 of funding is dependent upon the City achieving a housing target of 1,183 new housing units.

Through an agreement, the City is committed to quickly completing initiatives that will accelerate and permit new housing development over the next three years and beyond. Details regarding the St. Thomas HAF Action Plan initiatives and targets are available below. The HAF grant covers the cost of implementing these initiatives.

Key Milestones:

August 2025

A Public Information Centre was held to discuss:
-Housing Accelerator Fund Initiatives
-Land Use Planning Amendments for Additional Residential Units
-Community Planning Permit System
Click here to see the HAF Information Boards

November 2025
HAF Action Plan - Progress Update: Staff Report

Between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2027, building permits are to be issued that would permit 1,183 new housing units to be built in St. Thomas. Of those, at least 275 units are to be of a “missing middle” format that includes additional residential units, townhouses and multi-dwelling units from duplexes up to 4 storey apartments. Another 315 units are to be in apartments that are 5 storeys or greater in building height. A minimum of 75 of the new housing units must meet the definition of “affordable”.

The City will be tracking progress and reporting at the end of each year on the targets.

2025 Results:

Undertake a community housing review of the existing housing stock, future housing options and create a roadmap with recommendations.

Housing Needs Assessment and Action Plan
Completed - February 2025

Prepare a guidebook as a resource for homeowners to create additional residential units on their property.

Enhance the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to provide more financial incentive grants to support homeowners to create ARUs.

Promote and market the ARU guidebook and financial CIP incentives.

Initial Report with Draft ARU Guidebook, Draft CIP Amendment and Draft Official Plan and Zoning Amendments for Additional Residential Units and Program Enhancements: Staff Report

Statutory Public Meeting – September 8: Presentation
Final Report with Recommended CIP Amendment and financial program enhancements: Staff Report & Bylaws
Presentation to St. Thomas-Elgin Homebuilders’ Association: Presentation
ARU Guidebook
Development Incentives Brochure
CMHC Housing Design Catalogue
Completed - October 2025

Amend the City’s Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw to allow 4 residential dwelling units per lot as-of-right city-wide.

Develop and promote an Incentive Framework to encourage prioritization of infill and urban intensification projects.

Initial Report with Draft ARU Guidebook, Draft CIP Amendment and Draft Official Plan and Zoning Amendments for Additional Residential Units and Program Enhancements: Staff Report

Statutory Public Meeting – September 8: Presentation

Final Report with Recommended CIP Amendment and financial program enhancements: Staff Report & Bylaws
Presentation to St. Thomas-Elgin Homebuilders’ Association: Presentation
Incentive Framework: Development Incentives Brochure
Completed - October 2025

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

Develop polices and guidelines to allow the municipality to acquire strategic land parcels for redevelopment, including affordable housing.
Land Acquisition Policy
Process for City-Owned Land Review and Disposal
Completed - September 2025

Research, create and implement a program or policies that discourages vacancies, undeveloped land or low-density housing forms and incents land and buildings to be used for housing, including at higher densities.
Report on Development Incentive Review (Housing): Staff Report
Development Incentives Brochure
Completed - October 2025

Implement a new Community Planning Permit System for a development area of the City as a land use planning tool for more streamlined development approval process.

Official Plan Amendment

Initial Report with Draft Official Plan Amendment for Community Planning Permit System policies: Staff Report

Final Report with Recommended Official Plan Amendment for CPPS: Staff Report

Bylaw

Reports to Initiate Community Planning Permit Bylaw Process for Study Areas: Railway Secondary Plan Report and Elm/Wilson Report

Initial Report with Draft Community Planning Permit Bylaw for Elm/Wilson/Victor Area: Staff Report

Public Engagement Opportunities

Public Information Centre regarding Draft, Proposed CPP Bylaw for Elm/Wilson/Victor Area: Notice
● Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 from 4-6 p.m.
● Location: St. Thomas-Elgin Memorial Arena & Auditorium, Peter J. Lynch Meeting Room

Click here to see the Public Information Centre Display Boards

Public Meeting regarding Proposed CPP Bylaw for Elm/Wilson/Victor Area: Planning Notice
● Date: Monday, February 9, 2026 at 6 p.m.
● Location: City Hall

Partnering with non-profit housing providers to preserve and increase the stock of affordable housing. Establish a dedicated program funding pool to provide loans, grants and investments to priority housing projects such as those that prioritize affordable, supportive housing.
Indwell Balaclava Affordable and Supportive Housing: Staff Report
Affordable Housing Grant Program: Staff Report
Completed - October 2025

Review existing housing supply, growth forecasts, identify housing needs into the future and any directions.