In Canada, housing is considered “affordable” if it costs less than 30 per cent of a household’s before-tax income. Many people think the term “affordable housing” refers only to rental housing that is subsidized by the government. In reality, it’s a very broad term that can include housing provided by the private, public and non-profit sectors. It also includes all forms of housing tenure: rental, ownership and co-operative ownership, as well as temporary and permanent housing.
What do we mean by affordable housing in Guelph?
The province released an Affordable Residential Unit Bulletin that defines what “affordable” means for Guelph by setting affordable housing benchmarks for home ownership and rental units. The table below outlines these housing benchmarks by unit type:
Affordable housing benchmarks for 2024 (Ownership)
Unit type
Affordable housing benchmark (market-based)
Single-detached
$398,800
Semi-detached
$398,800
Townhouse
$398,800
Apartment
$398,800
Affordable housing benchmarks for 2024 (Rental)
Unit type
Affordable housing benchmark (market-based)
Bachelor
$1,160
1-bedroom
$1,508
2-bedroom
$1,646
3+ bedroom
$1,695
Housing Affordability Strategy
In December 2024, the City approved a Housing Affordability Strategy. The strategy outlines 30 actions to bring more housing that is affordable to Guelph over the next decade.
The Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan provides grants for those looking to add a new affordable unit to their property, turn vacant units into affordable housing or build new affordable housing units. The incentives are one of the actions included in our Housing Affordability Strategy, which are funded by the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund, aiming to boost local housing supply.
Additional dwelling units
The City has approved an Official Plan and Zoning bylaw amendment to allow up to four housing units on a low-density residential property. We are continuing to explore the impact and feasibility of more than four housing units in Guelph’s low-density residential areas. Learn more about additional dwelling units.
Affordable Housing Seed Funding program
The City of Guelph is providing seed funding to registered non-profits interested in building affordable housing. Learn more about the seed funding.
Affordable Housing Demonstration Project
The City is piloting new ways to be involved in the development of affordable housing. This project will deliver a minimum of 12 affordable housing units through the sale of City owned lands located at 14 Edinburgh Road.
