Building Affordable Housing

Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing  Program

 

 

New Affordable Rental Housing Development

Is There Funding Available Now?

Currently, the City of Peterborough is not in a position to accept applications or proposals for new affordable rental housing development under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program (AHP). The province has not announced that funding is available. However, staff at the City’s Housing Division is available to discuss potential affordable housing projects, regardless of the availability of funding.

Notice of Available AHP Funding

The City of Peterborough makes effort to ensure interested applicants are aware of available funding under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program (AHP). Past opportunities have been announced through the City’s website, the local media, and e-mail. If you would like to receive e-mail notification for future funding opportunities under the AHP, send your contact information to housing@peterborough.ca.

AHP Funding Outlook

Future AHP funding will be administered in accordance with the New Rental Housing Guidelines, a component of the AHP. In 2009, the City received $7.96 Million under the AHP, for a total of 71 units. In 2010, the City was not awarded funding; however the possibility remains for residual funding to be awarded at any time. A small amount, relative to past funding amounts, is anticipated annually for 2011- 2013.

Affordable Housing in Peterborough

The City of Peterborough, along with many municipalities across Canada, has identified affordable housing as a priority issue. In 2001, as a show of leadership, the City of Peterborough developed an Affordable Housing Strategy. The goal of the Housing Strategy was to stimulate the development of affordable housing and to complement the City’s social housing responsibilities. The City is currently updating the Housing Strategy, which is anticipated to be released in early-mid 2011.

19 new affordable rental housing projects, for a total of 487 units, are either occupied or under construction. 415 units are in the City and 72 units are in the County. Projects developed under the current AHP are required to meet certain criteria on an ongoing basis. For example, the overall average project rent cannot exceed 80% of the average market rent for the Peterborough area. Landlords will be required to verify that new tenants do not have an income exceeding a specified maximum. Also, landlords may be required to house a certain type of tenant, such as seniors or persons with disabilities.

Previously approved projects can be viewed in the pamphlet: Affordable Housing in the City of Peterborough.

Where Funding Comes From

Funding for new affordable rental housing development is provided through the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program (AHP). While the federal and provincial governments provide the bulk of the funding, the City provides incentives for affordable housing development, including waiver of development charges, municipal tax savings, and, occasionally, land and grants. Until recently, permitting and planning fees were also waived.

The AHP Funding Applications Process

In recent years, the application process for AHP funding has flowed as follows:

1.) The City announces that federal-provincial funding for affordable rental housing is available.

2.) Housing Developers (Non-Profit and Private) submit applications to the City. The City evaluates the applications, and City Council recommends certain projects to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH).

3.) MMAH evaluates the projects and advises the City and applicants which projects have been approved for funding.

4.) An agreement is formed between the City and the applicant, setting out the amount of funding to be received, rent levels for the completed project, reporting requirements, project conditions, and so on.

5.) Project construction commences. Funding flows in increments according to milestones (e.g. signing of agreement, start of construction, occupancy). The funding flows from the province to the City to the proponent.

For previous funding opportunities, applicants were asked to use the following materials to apply for funding:

- Affordable Housing Project Survey

- Proposal Guideline and Forms

- Project Information Form

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Revised:2011-05-31| Revised by: The City of Peterborough