Regional Incentives

The AHIP provides capital grants to eligible residential housing developments and streamlines the approval process for planning applications that include affordable housing units.

Funding is through a forgivable capital loan secured against the title. A portion of this loan will be forgiven, as long as the project complies with the Municipal Capital Housing Facilities and Contribution Agreement with the Region.

The project must be located within Durham Region.

Non-profit housing providers and for-profit developers are eligible to apply. Applicants must have experience in residential housing developments. They must also have experience operating rental housing or are partnered with an experienced organization that will provide these services.

Projects will be evaluated on:

• How it responds to community need, including targeted groups, unit size, location and affordability.
• Depth of affordability.
• Period of affordability.
• Construction and operational costs of the project.
• Opportunity for stacking with other housing incentive programs.
• Number and percentage of units that will be affordable.
• Access to transit, community amenities and services.
• Energy efficiency and sustainability.
• Accessibility, including barrier-free designs, elevators and other features.
• Project planning, including obtaining required development permissions, financing and development schedule.
• Applicant’s financial capacity, and experience with rental housing development and management.

Visit the Program Guidelines for more information.

There will be a Call for Applications that will be sent to organizations listed on the Registry. Please sign up for the Registry to be notified for the Call for Applications.

The review process will take approximately three months from the closing date of the Call for Applications. Applicants will be notified if their application is recommended to Regional Council.

Applicants will be required to provide:

• Project details.
• Information on all organizations involved.
• Plans for community outreach.
• Development and management qualifications.
• A business model that demonstrates financial feasibility of the project.
• Other information as may be required by the Region.

Visit the Program Guidelines for more information.

Durham Region’s Municipal Housing Facilities By-law defines affordable rental housing as units with monthly occupancy costs that are less than or equal to the average market rent.

The average market rent is taken from the Rental Market Survey, published annually by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). If CMHC has not published an average market rent for the unit type or municipality, the Region will provide average monthly rents for affordable housing.

The At Home Incentive Program Guidelines provide information to assist private and non-profit organizations that want to partner with the Region to create new affordable purpose-built rental housing. These Guidelines include information about available resources, eligibility criteria, and the application and approval process for the At Home Incentive Program. This information will assist organizations to complete their Application Forms.

• At Home Incentive Program Guidelines
• Project Information Spreadsheet
• Appendices