The City of Peterborough has completed all seven initiatives under its Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Action Plan and has received a second funding installment of $2.67 million from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
The City has now received a total of approximately $5.3 million through the federal program, which supports municipalities in creating more opportunities for housing by improving planning processes, removing barriers to development and creating healthy, walkable communities.
The funding recognizes the City’s work to make it easier and faster to build housing, while expanding housing options and supporting the development of more affordable homes.
“The City shares the Government of Canada’s goal of increasing the supply and range of housing options available in our community, said City of Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal. “Through the Housing Accelerator Fund, we’ve modernized our planning policies, streamlined development approvals and improved how we deliver services. These changes will help support the construction of more homes, including affordable housing, and position Peterborough for future growth.”
The City’s completed initiatives include:
- Introducing a city-wide Community Planning Permit By-law to replace the City’s 1972 Comprehensive Zoning By-law and make the development approvals process more efficient
- Reducing or removing residential parking requirements to support more housing options
- Allowing up to four residential units on eligible properties and encouraging missing middle housing, such as townhomes and small apartment buildings
- Launching a public e-permitting portal to make it easier and more efficient to submit and track development applications
- Improving building application processes to support new construction methods and help move housing projects forward more quickly
- Making City-owned land available to support housing development and partnerships that create affordable housing
- Updating the Community Improvement Plan to provide stronger incentives for affordable housing projects
On June 29, Peterborough City Council approved the city-wide Community Planning Permit By-law, completing the final milestone in the City’s Action Plan within the required timeline.
More information about the City of Peterborough’s Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan is available on the City’s website.
