The Region offers incentives for developers, builders and landlords to create homes for people who can't afford market rent.
Capital grants
Every year or two, the Region offers grants to help offset the capital cost of building new affordable and supportive housing.
Since 2001, the Region's capital grants have helped create 1,535 new affordable rental units under the Affordable Housing Strategy.
| Who is eligible |
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Funding is handed out based on responses to requests for proposals (RFP) issued by the Region. To be eligible for funding you must:
Email us to receive calls for proposals when they are issued. |
| What to submit in an RFP |
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COCHI and OPHI Guidelines
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Secondary suites
If you would like to add an affordable in-law suite to your home, the Region can help you pay for the cost. Funding is available through the Ontario Renovates program.
Visit our Funding for Secondary Suites page to learn more about this program and to apply.
Rent supplement
We encourage landlords to make units available to people on our affordable housing wait list. The Region will cover the gap between how much you charge for rent and how much the tenant can pay.
| How it works |
| If you qualify, we inspect your unit(s) and negotiate the rent. We then enter into an agreement with you and refer tenants from the wait list to you. You enter into a lease with the tenant, collect rent, and we pay you the balance. |
| Who is eligible |
This program is open to anyone building or offering rental units, and agencies that offer support services. The units made available can be any type, including owner-occupied, and do not need to be vacant. Eligibility is based on:
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How to apply |
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Please mail or drop off a completed rent supplement application form to: Region of Waterloo, Housing Division |
Other funding
In addition to the Region's capital grants, there are other opportunities for developers to receive funding for affordable housing.
| Regional development charge grants |
| If you qualify for capital funding under the Region's Affordable Housing Strategy, you may qualify for a Regional Development Charge (RDC) Grant to offset development charges. These grants are made available at the time you receive a building permit and are subject to availability of funding. |
| Optional property tax class |
| The optional property tax class lowers the tax ratio of new apartment units (tax ratio 1.000), reducing a developer's overall operating costs. New multi-residential developments that have six or more units are automatically provided with the optional property tax class at the time of assessment. |
| Brownfield incentives program |
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Brownfields are vacant properties. They include former industrial sites, closed gas stations and foundries that have been unused or underdeveloped. If you plan to build on a brownfield, the Region can help you cover some of the costs of clean up and redevelopment. This program includes:
Please visit the Region's Brownfield Incentives program for more information. |
| Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation seed funding program |
This Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation program will help you cover some of the soft costs associated with your affordable housing project. You can qualify for up to $50,000 in funding for costs that include:
In some cases, this program also provides fully repayable, interest-free loans of up to $200,000. Visit CMHC's website for more information. |
| Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation co-investment fund |
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This fund encourages developers to adopt unique funding models and innovative building techniques to revolutionize the rental housing sector. Visit CMHC's website for more information, including how to apply. |
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