MAYOR LOVATT STATEMENT ON HOUSING ACCELERATOR FUND APPLICATION REJECTION
STOUFFVILLE, ON – In 2022, the Federal government launched the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), a $4B fund created to incentivize municipalities to remove barriers to increasing housing supply to address our country’s housing shortage. Municipalities can apply for funding that will enable them to facilitate the building of more homes, faster.
On August 18, 2023, the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville applied to the HAF, eager for the opportunity to do our part in addressing the housing crisis. With adequate funding, we were committed to several initiatives, including encouraging alternative forms of housing (modular homes, prefabricated housing, and rental units) incentives for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and implementing inclusionary zoning.
This week, we were notified that our application was rejected. With York Region set to be one of the fastest growth centres in the country, welcoming another 800,000 residents by 2051, we were disheartened to be denied this funding. Stouffville remains deeply committed to supporting the building of attainable housing in our community. In the last year, I am proud to say we are the only municipality in York Region to have met and surpassed our provincial growth targets by 239% of target. We are steadfast in our commitment to creating housing options of all types and price points for all people. No opportunity will be left on the table for the development of affordable, equitable, and climate-resilient communities.
I will continue to advocate for funding, and it is my hope that the Federal government’s 2024 budget will contain further funding for the continuation of the Housing Accelerator Fund.
