Government Initiatives & Incentives

The Federal Government of Canada, through the 'National Housing Strategy' has identified that the country is in a housing crisis. The strategy identifies housing as an essential component to the inherent dignity and well-being of citizens. The strategy also identifies that housing should be attainable to all social economic levels and meet the diverse needs of the people and cultures of Canada. 

The Government of Canada has also introduced the 'Housing Accelerator Fund' with the goal of creating more housing units. The fund provides funding to municipal governments which encourages initiatives aimed at increasing housing supply. The fund also supports the development of complete, low-carbon and climate resilient communities that are affordable, inclusive, equitable and diverse. 

Federal Resources:

• National Housing Strategy 
• Housing Accelerator Fund 
• Housing Benefits (which includes the Canada Greener Homes Initiative)

The Province of Ontario has also recognized the housing crisis through the ‘More Homes, More Choice: Ontario’s Housing Supply Action Plan’. The province has estimated a need for an additional 1.5 million housing units within the next 10 years. The Province has identified that 83% of buyers can’t afford the average cost of resale homes. Resale home prices have risen by 8-9% and the rental prices have risen by 10-15%.

Ontario recognizes the need for additional housing units and options, however, the timeline to get new units built has created additional barriers. The province has identified a five-point plan to achieve the additional housing units at an attainable price.  

Provincial Resources: 

• More Homes Built Faster 
• Housing in Ontario 
• Ontario Renovates Program (through local Housing Services Providers)

The City of North Bay understands that different factors, such as; the increasing cost of living, housing construction, housing purchase costs, increased migration to the City and the aging population requires more housing to be built to meet the housing demands.    

The City of North Bay has the responsibility of providing policy and processes to create housing units. These policies and provisions are largely implemented through the City's Official Plan and Zoning By-law. These policies support and provide flexibility to facilitate residential development of different forms. 

The City provides several incentives and helpful resources to help build more housing in the community. 

Initiatives and Resources:

• Growth Community Improvement Plan (GCIP) (financial incentives to build more housing units)
• Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) policies  (allowing for increase of the number of units on Urban and Rural lots in the City) 
• Housing Action Plan (a plan to help build more housing - through the Federal Government's Housing Accelerator Fund)
• Development Handbook (a helpful guidebook to make all development more simple)