KITCHENER — Responding to the urgent need for more housing and greater affordability, the City of Kitchener has introduced the ambitious “Building Kitchener Together” initiative.
The comprehensive plan is designed to advance the city’s ‘Housing For All’ strategy by implementing a series of projects aimed at significantly increasing the housing supply.
The initiative follows substantial funding allocations from Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund and Ontario’s Building Faster Fund, along with the unveiling of the 2024 federal and provincial budgets.
These financial injections have spurred Kitchener into action to tackle the housing crisis head-on.
At the heart of “Building Kitchener Together” is a commitment to accelerate the construction of new homes across the city.
A significant portion of the funding from the Housing Accelerator Fund will be directed towards fast-tracking the development of over 1,200 new homes by early 2027, addressing both affordability and demand concerns.
Mayor Berry Vrbanovic emphasized the critical nature of this initiative, stating, “Kitchener is experiencing rapid growth, and addressing the housing shortage is a top priority for City Council.”
Expressing gratitude for government support, Mayor Vrbanovic highlighted the city’s determination to implement bold solutions to the housing crisis.
Key components of “Building Kitchener Together” include initiatives such as modifying land use regulations around major transit stations (MTSA’s) to encourage denser development, implementing inclusionary zoning to ensure the inclusion of affordable housing units in new developments, and providing city-owned land for affordable housing projects.
Additionally, a grant program will be launched to support the construction of not-for-profit affordable housing units, with the aim of constructing over 500 new units.
Strategic land acquisition efforts will also be undertaken to expand the availability of land for affordable housing development.
These initiatives collectively represent a proactive approach by the City of Kitchener to confront the housing shortage and promote greater housing affordability.
“Building Kitchener Together” underscores the city’s commitment to fostering a more equitable and inclusive community for all residents.
For more information on “Building Kitchener Together” and its associated projects, interested parties are encouraged to visit the official City of Kitchener website below.
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