Not-for-profit Affordable Rental and Co-op Housing Incentive

Overview of the Not-for-profit Affordable Rental and Co-op Housing Incentive program:

The Not-for-Profit Affordable Rental and Co-op Housing Incentive (Pilot) is a grant program offered by the City of Kitchener to help non-profit housing developers cover early-stage, non-capital project costs. It provides up to $500,000 per project (based on $10,000 per unit for up to 50 units) to assist with essential pre-development activities needed to move a housing concept from the ideation phase to building permit readiness. Eligible activities funded by the grant include a wide array of technical and feasibility studies, planning analysis, project design, environmental assessments, engineering reviews, surveys, financial modelling, and legal costs associated with land development. This support is meant to de-risk the early development phase and help community-driven housing projects become feasible, approvable, and investment-ready. The pilot prioritizes affordable housing creation and is meant strictly for new housing units, not existing ones. Projects already issued building permits are not eligible. Instead, this program is focused on supporting work that leads up to building permit issuance—such as obtaining development approvals, conducting studies, and preparing drawings and other supporting documents. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate financial viability, non-profit status, and proof of ownership or legal right to develop on the proposed site. The pilot also complements the City’s broader Affordable Housing Strategy, which includes fee waivers and other supports.

Benefits of the Not-for-profit Affordable Rental and Co-op Housing Incentive program:

• Helps advance early-stage affordable housing projects
• Eases financial barriers for not-for-profit developers
• Funds critical studies and application materials needed for Planning Act or building permit approvals
• Complements Kitcheners Affordable Rental Housing Fee Waiver Program
• Encourages non-profit and co-op housing as part of the citys broader affordable housing goals

Eligibility criteria of the Not-for-profit Affordable Rental and Co-op Housing Incentive program:

• Eligible Applicants:
• Non-profit housing developers only
• Must have proof of site ownership or legal development rights
• Must pass a financial viability review
• Co-operative housing projects are eligible under the same terms
• Eligible Projects:
• Must involve the creation of new affordable housing units
• Must be in early phases (ideation to design and permitting)
• Projects with building permits already issued are ineligible
• Eligible Expenses Include (not exhaustive):
• Need and demand analysis
• Project viability assessments (e.g., pro forma, business plans)
• Property appraisal, land surveys, and site studies
• Environmental, geotechnical, and energy modelling
• Planning analysis, shadow/wind/transportation studies
• Engineering and construction cost estimates
• Interior and architectural design
• Legal and municipal permit-related fees (where not waived elsewhere)
• Other documents or consultant services required by Planning Act applications or permitting