Housing in Guelph
Funding and incentive programs
We are actively partnering with other levels of government and delivering City-led funding programs to fast-track affordable housing development approvals. We are taking necessary and significant steps to address the housing crisis. Learn more about our programs and resources below.
On this page
Funding received
Housing Accelerator Fund
The Federal Government awarded the City with $21.4 million to fund eight initiatives under the Council-approved Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Action Plan.
Building Faster Fund
The Province has awarded the City with $4.68 million for meeting provincial housing targets. Funding will be invested in housing or community-enabling infrastructure.
Streamlining Development Approvals Fund
The Province has provided the City with $1.75 million to help modernize, streamline and accelerate processes for managing and approving housing applications.
Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund
The Province awarded the City $2.1 million to replace and improve water and wastewater infrastructure to enable 150 shovel-ready housing units in Guelph by 2027.
Other funding
Municipalities rely on specific sources of revenue to pay for the infrastructure needed to support a growing community, such as development charges, parkland dedication and property tax.
Funding available for housing
- Property tax exemption: Learn more about tax exemption programs available for non-market housing providers and other non-profit organizations.
- Affordable Housing Financial Incentives Program (AHFIP): Learn more about a City-initial financial incentives program for affordable housing.
- Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan: Building affordable housing in Guelph? Our grants can help! Our Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan grants make it easier than ever to add an affordable unit to your home, turn vacant units into affordable housing, or build new affordable housing in Guelph. Learn more and apply today.
- Affordable Housing Seed Funding program: Coming spring 2025! Are you a non-profit interested in building affordable housing? Explore seed funding grants to help you cover your pre-construction costs.
Budget investment
People rely on municipal services as soon as they move into a new home—whether they turn on a tap, flush a toilet or commute along our roadways on the way into work, shopping or appointments. As our community grows, we need to make investments in infrastructure that residents expect as part of their everyday life.
To help meet Guelph’s pledge to build 18,000 homes by 2031, we are making key budget investments that are identified in the 2024-27 Multi-Year Budget. These investments will help us build the water, wastewater, stormwater and roads infrastructure to support new houses, apartments, shopping centres, offices and industrial parks in our city.
To learn more about our City’s investments in housing and infrastructure, read our 2024-2027 multi-year budget.