Affordable Housing

We’re working to add more affordable housing in Cambridge. While the City is not responsible for actually building homes, here are some of the steps we are taking to increase affordable housing. 

Community housing in Cambridge is run by the Region of Waterloo. To check if you qualify for community housing, please visit the Region’s website. 

The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is a federal government program providing funds to municipalities to help fast track the number of homes being built. The City has an action plan featuring nine initiatives to help get shovels in the ground faster.  

To learn more about the City’s initiatives, and the HAF program visit our HAF page.

 

Additional Residential Units (ARUs) are self contained residential units containing their own kitchen, washroom and sleeping area. They are either attached to a current home, or a detached building on the same lot. The City has an Financial Assistance Program available to property owners who construct an ARU.  

To learn more visit our ARU page.

The Reserve Fund provides capital grants to eligible non-profit organizations and private-sector developers to support the creation of affordable rental housing for low-income individuals and families in the City, particularly those who currently live in unsuitable, inadequate or unaffordable housing. 

The fund is intended to supplement other funding sources, such as government programs, businesses, private donors, and community organizations. Funding for the Reserve Fund comes from subdivision and site plan agreements, as well as donations from businesses and individuals. 

The funds objectives are to increase the supply of affordable rental housing in Cambridge for those most in need, encourage partnerships that support affordable housing development and support projects that will remain affordable over the long term. 

Cambridge is part of Waterloo Region’s Affordable Housing Plan. For more information on the plan, visit the Region’s website.

The Region of Waterloo’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan outlines Homes for All as a key priority and includes “Unlock Region-owned land that supports community growth” as a critical action item to move this area forward. The plan focuses on five priority areas, one of which is finding partner lands for affordable housing development. Learn more about land for housing on the Region of Waterloo's website.