Building a sustainable tomorrow, today.

The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is a federal government program designed to help increase the number of houses across Canada. The City of Cambridge does not actually build houses, that is the work of developers and builders in the city. The HAF provides funding to help municipalities remove barriers and fast track approvals to increase the number of houses being built and see shovels in the ground faster.

The HAF will provide $13.3 million in federal funding, allowing the City to move forward with nine initiatives as described in the City's Action Plan.

 HAF Contribution Agreement

 CMHC's news release about the City of Cambridge's HAF Action Plan 

What will the City use HAF funds for? 

 In return for the funding, the City will:

  1. Complete the initiatives in the Action Plan, within the agreed upon milestone timelines.
  2. Achieve the Housing Supply Growth Target and additional targets by January 31, 2027.
  3. Submit a Housing Needs Assessment Report by January 31, 2026

What kinds of housing will these funds be used for? 

The City’s Housing Supply Growth Target is 2,972 projected net new permitted housing units over the first three years of the program. 

Within the 2,972 permitted housing units, the city has agreed to additional targets focused on the type of housing units permitted, with:

  • 50 multi-unit housing* units in close proximity (1500 m) to rapid transit
  • 1,845 missing middle housing units**
  • 591 other multi-unit housing units***
  • 5.34% of the Housing Supply Growth Target will be affordable units (159 units)

*Multi-unit housing is any residential building with more than one unit.

**Missing middle housing units refers to ground-oriented housing types. This includes garden suites, secondary suites, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, row houses, courtyard housing, low-rise apartments (4 storeys or less). Please watch this video to learn more about Missing Middle Housing.

 

***Other multi-unit housing refers to all multi-unit housing excluding missing middle and multi-unit housing in close proximity to rapid transit.

How will the City achieve its housing targets? 

The City of Cambridge has committed to the "HAF Action Plan", which has 9 initiatives, each of which aims to simplify and  fast-tack housing approvals and production. 

 Initiative 1 - Fast tracking Municipal Lands Program for Affordable and Attainable Housing
 Starting in 2024, the City of Cambridge will:
  • Select municipally-owned lands for community housing providers and private developers to build affordable homes.
  • Prepare Lands for Development by handling planning approvals and offering financial incentives to make homes more affordable. The City will also support climate-friendly building methods like mass timber and modular construction.
  • Select builders to start construction of new affordable housing units, with ongoing efforts through 2026.

 

Fast Tracking Municipal Lands Timeline

 Initiative 2 - Digital Twin Technology and Using Technology to Accelerate Approvals

The City will move to a digital approach for development applications and will leverage AI, spatial data and 3D modeling for better quality submissions and faster approvals. A new online service will support applications from pre-consultation to approval (vendor selected in 2024, testing in 2025, full launch in 2026).

 

"Digital Twin" timeline

 Initiative 3 - Additional Residential Unit (ARU) Assistance Program *Launched November 1, 2024

Starting November 1, 2024, the City of Cambridge has made it easier to create additional residential units (ARUs) in low-density residential zones. This move aims to promote densification through:

  • Financial Support: Up to $10,000 per property to help remove financial barriers.
  • Faster Approvals: Streamlined processes to speed up approval timelines.

For more information visit the City's webpage for ARU incentive programs.

 

ARU CIP timeline

 Initiative 4 - Comprehensive Zoning By-law and Form Based Zoning 
The City's existing planning regulations will be updated and modernized to allow more density and variety in housing throughout the city.
  • Cambridge will initiate a planning process to introduce City-wide form-based zoning in residential areas (implementation in 2024).
  • An updated zoning by-law will facilitate an overall increase in density, including in existing low-density neighbourhoods, by focusing on the form and scale of residential buildings in relation to the lot, rather than the number of dwellings inside the building (implementation in 2025).

 

Form-based Zoning timeline

 Initiative 5 - Delegation of Authority Enhancements *Completed in 2024

The City has made changes to internal processes to allow the Chief Planner to approve simple application types. This change shortened approval timelines resulting in accelerated site plan and building permit approvals.

 

Delegation of Authority Enhancements timeline
 Initiative 6 - Online Pre-application Guide and Submission Portal Work

The City of Cambridge is improving its online services to make it easier to apply for development permits and reduce approval times. Key enhancements include:

  • Implementing a new software solution to organize all City rules, regulations, instructions, and data in one place, simplifying the permit application process.
  • Launching an updated GIS database and new portal. This will help users confirm zoning details, estimate fees, and understand approval timelines.

The new portal is expected to speed up permit issuance by up to 35%.

 

Online Pre-Application and Submission Portal Timeline

 Initiative 7 - Expand Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP)

Affordable housing will be incentivized City-wide through a variety of financial tools and policies. Some key initiatives are:

  • To update the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to guide future affordable housing developments.
  • To launch expanded incentives under the Affordable Housing CIP.

Incentives include:

  • Waiving or returning application fees.
  • Offering tax increment grants.
  • Providing access to other grants.
  • Reviewing and updating the City’s Affordable Housing Reserve Fund.

 

Affordable Housing CIP Timeline

 Initiative 8 - Strategic Growth Areas Secondary Plans

The City is expanding zoning rules to allow medium and high-density housing in mixed-use areas and near major transit stations. The Secondary Plans for the Main & Dundas Street South Community Node and Hespeler Road Corridor are expected to significantly increase housing densities.

 

Strategic Growth Area Secondary Plans Timeline
 Initiative 9 - Housing Needs Assessment and Encouragement of Development 

 A Housing Needs Assessment is a detailed report that uses data and research to describe the current and future housing needs of our community. This assessment will help the City of Cambridge ensure that housing supply initiatives are tailored to meet the needs of our residents.

 

Housing Needs Assessment Timeline