Housing Accelerator Funding

On Aug. 11, 2025, the amendment to the 2020CIP was approved by Council to add a new financial
incentive, the Downtown Forgivable Loan. The Notice of Decision is linked here. Notice of appeal must be received by the City Clerk no later than Sept. 4, 2025.

The St. Catharines Downtown Forgivable Loan Program (DFLP) provides a one-time, interest-free loan of up to $100,000 per property (with an additional $50,000 available for barrier-free units) to building owners who convert vacant upper-floor, rear, or basement spaces into new residential units within the Downtown Priority Neighbourhood.

This program is intended to increase housing options and address vacancies by helping to cover project costs for these conversions.

This program targets the conversion of non-residential vacant upper-level, rear and/or basement units in existing buildings to add at least one new residential dwelling unit. This forgivable loan is intended to facilitate new residential units to provide more housing options for the community. By targeting this program to the downtown core, this forgivable loan also aims to address vacant units in the area.

Amendment materials are available for review and comment online at EngageSTC or in person at the Planning and Building Services Department at City Hall, 50 Church St., St. Catharines.

On January 13, 2025, a City-wide zoning by-law amendment (File no. 24 115258 ZA) is going to St. Catharines City Council for consideration. This proposed zoning by-law amendment is to exempt affordable residential units from the City’s parking requirements.

A residential dwelling unit will be considered affordable in accordance with the definition established in the Development Charges Act, 1997, as amended. This zoning by-law amendment aligns with HAF Initiative 3 – Inclusive Housing Initiatives, which aims to foster a housing environment that prioritizes inclusion and adaptability by encouraging construction and reducing development costs for affordable, accessible and purpose-built rental developments.

This application was originally scheduled to be considered during the December 9, 2024 Council meeting. Due to that meeting being cancelled, this application is being considered by Council on January 13, 2025.

For more information, please visit the Affordable Housing Parking Exemption website.

• 15 per cent discount for one-bedroom units (or smaller)
• 20 per cent discount for two-bedroom units
• 25 pre cent discount for three-bedroom units plus

In an effort to increase the development of purpose-built rental units in the city and implement Initiative 4 – Missing Middle Initiative in the HAF action plan, staff are recommending an increase to the legislated development charge rental discounts. The increase in discount would be funded through the Housing Accelerator Fund. The proposed grant would increase development charge rental discounts as outlined below:

• 50 per cent total discount for one-bedroom units (or smaller) (15 per cent DC Act discount plus 35 per cent HAF-funded top-up)
• 50 per cent total discount for two-bedroom units (20 per cent DC Act discount plus 30 per cent HAF-funded top-up)
• 35 per cent total discount for three-bedroom units + (25 per cent DC Act discount plus 10 per cent HAF-funded top-up)

The proposed development charge discounts apply only to municipal development charges and do not apply to any development charges from the Region of Niagara or the school board.

For more information, please see the Nov. 18, 2024, staff report and policy.

Are you looking to apply for this policy? Please see the Applicant Guide for full details.

Read the report

On November 18, 2024, St. Catharines City Council passed the Affordable Housing Fee Reimbursement Policy. This policy will facilitate the reimbursement of building permit fees for proposed accessible dwelling units throughout the city. This policy is funded by the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) and aligns with HAF Initiative 3 – Inclusive Housing Initiatives, which aims to foster a housing environment that prioritizes inclusion and adaptability by encouraging construction and reduce development costs for affordable, accessible and purpose built rental developments.

This policy applies to new accessible dwelling units that:

• Are any dwelling type (e.g., detached, semi-detached or townhouse dwelling, accessory dwelling unit, triplex, fourplex, or apartment dwelling unit)
• Are rental or owner-occupied
• Meet the City’s Zoning By-law definition of a dwelling unit and meet Division B, Section 3.8 of the Ontario Building Code, including the requirement that there be an accessible path to units
• Are units provided beyond minimum requirements set out in the Ontario Building Code (e.g., the required 15 per cent accessible units within apartment buildings are not eligible for reimbursement under this Policy)

This policy is in effect as of November 18, 2024 until December 31, 2025. Depending on HAF funding availability, this policy may be extended to 2026 and 2027.

For more information, please see the November 18, 2024 staff report and policy.

Read the report

Are you looking to apply for this policy? Please see the Applicant Guide for full details.

On August 26, 2024, the proposed increase to the Community Improvement Plan grant amount for the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Program was approved by St. Catharines City Council. The amendment increased the value of the ADU grant to a maximum of $40,000 for the construction of interior ADUs, and to a maximum of $80,000 for the construction of exterior ADUs, subject to available funding through the Housing Accelerator Fund.

The amendment also revises the application requirement for a complete ADU application to be made within 90 days of Building Permit issuance and permits property owners to submit more than one ADU application per property.

The Notice of Decision was issued in accordance with Section 28 of the Planning Act on Aug. 29, 2024.

To learn more and submit applications, visit please visit the Community Improvement Plan webpage.

On February 12, 2024, St. Catharines City Council passed the Affordable Housing Fee Reimbursement Policy. This policy will facilitate the reimbursement of planning application and/or building permit fees for proposed non-ownership affordable housing units or beds throughout the city. This policy is funded by the City’s Affordable Housing Reserve and Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) and aligns with HAF Initiative 3 – Inclusive Housing Initiatives, which aims to foster a housing environment that prioritizes inclusion and adaptability by encouraging construction and reducing development costs for affordable, accessible and purpose-built rental developments.

A development or redevelopment project is eligible for a reimbursement up to $50,000 under this policy if:

• The proponent is an eligible housing provider as defined in the policy.
• The project provides a minimum of 11 new dwelling units.
• A minimum of 30 per cent of all new dwelling units meet the policy’s definition of affordable non-ownership housing.
• Notwithstanding the above, where affordable non-ownership housing is not proposed in a dwelling unit format, the project must provide at least 11 new beds.

This policy is in effect as of February 12, 2024. For more information, please see the February 12, 2024 staff report and policy.

Read the report

Are you looking to apply for this policy? Please see the Applicant Guide for full details.

The City has launched its Pre-Approved Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit Design Program.

Following a Request for Submission process and staff review, pre-approved designs for detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are now available for use for individuals looking to construct a detached ADU on their property.

This initiative is to support missing middle housing options by connecting people directly with designers of pre-approved designs for a quicker building permit approval process, thereby introducing more housing faster in the city.

View Pre-approved Designs