The province is putting more money into building homes across Ontario.
Premier Doug Ford announced a one-billion dollar investment in the new Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program and $625-million added to the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund.
“Time and time again, I’ve heard from our municipal partners that a lack of infrastructure is one of the biggest barriers to getting more homes built,” said Premier Doug Ford in a news release.
The Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program is aimed at supporting core infrastructure projects that help enable housing for growing and developing communities, such as roads and water infrastructure.
Provincial officials say more details on the program, including eligibility and application intake details, will be announced later in the year.
The Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, which was first announced in the province’s fall economic statement, will help municipalities repair, rehabilitate and expand drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure needed to build more homes.
“We have heard from many municipalities that their biggest obstacle in getting more shovels in the ground faster is infrastructure and that is why we are making this historic investment,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “We are removing barriers and providing every tool we can to our municipal partners so that more homes can be built than ever before.”
“It’s a simple fact: to meet Ontario’s ambitious housing targets, more housing supportive infrastructure is needed,” Dave Depencier, President of the Ontario Home Builders Association said. “We applaud the government for making this investment and leading the way to get more housing built in Ontario.”