Durham is investing $8 million into the community to help create 131 more affordable homes as demand for affordable rental housing continues to grow.
Several official announcements have been made about promoting ‘affordable housing’ but a definition of ‘affordable’ has not been forthcoming. No timeline was mentioned either.
One reference by the City of Oshawa (see below) was provided that the rent would be geared-to-income, but no definite formula about how that would be calculated was mentioned.
Oshawa: Athol Green Co-operative Homes Inc. will receive $7.25 million to build 96 affordable rental units on the north side of Athol Street West, between Centre Street and Simcoe Street in downtown Oshawa.
A new 23-storey, 274-unit rental apartment building will include 96 affordable units, including 71 one-bedroom units, 21 two-bedroom units and four three-bedroom units. Designed with accessibility in mind, 15 per cent of the units are intended to be accessible, with plans to pursue Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification.
WoodGreen’s Homeward Bound Program will use 25 units to support single mothers with housing, while they earn college diplomas, start careers and achieve financial self-sufficiency.
Brock: ACA Housing Corporation will receive $750,000 to build 10 units of affordable rental housing at 82 River Street, Sunderland, in the Township of Brock.
This proposed development will convert a vacant three-storey retirement home into an apartment building with 10 affordable units, including three studios and seven one-bedroom units. The proposal includes three accessible, universal barrier-free units on the ground floor.
Funding
Funding for these two developments comes via the Region of Durham’s At Home Incentive Program (AHIP), which encourages the development of new affordable rental housing through funding and application support services. Since the creation of the AHIP in 2022, a total of $38,950,000 in funding has been approved by regional council to support the development of 457 affordable units across Durham Region.
“Creating affordable housing requires strong partnerships and strategic investments. Through this $8 million commitment, the Region of Durham is supporting the development of affordable rental homes that will provide stability and opportunity for residents across our communities,” said John Henry, Regional Chair.
Quick Facts:
- The At Home Incentive Program (AHIP) supports the development of affordable rental housing in Durham Region through funding and application support services.
- Projects eligible for the At Home Incentive Program may include new construction, conversion of non-residential buildings to purpose-built rental housing, the addition of new affordable buildings on existing sites, the addition of new units to an existing building, or community housing redevelopment that increases the supply of affordable housing units.