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Programs for Builders, Developers and Homeowners

HomeHousing Programs for Builder, Developers and Homeowners
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Help Increase Available Affordable Housing in Muskoka

Are you a developer, builder or homeowner interested in building new affordable housing units? To help increase the supply of available affordable housing, the District offers funding to encourage the development of affordable housing across Muskoka. Read more about our current programs below:

New! Affordable Housing Funding Opportunity - Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative

The OPHI New Rental Housing component is intended to increase the supply of community rental housing for households on, or eligible to be on, social housing waiting lists; to help ensure that safe, adequate and affordable rental housing is available to Ontario households.

If you are a non-profit organization planning to build new affordable rental housing in Muskoka and have a shovel-ready project for this year, our housing team would like to connect with you! Please submit an expression of interest by email to affordablehousing@muskoka.on.ca by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 13th, 2021.

Eligibility Criteria - Projects

Eligible projects must be non-profit/municipal/co-operative developments or partnerships, and be one of the following:

  • New construction, including additions and extensions
  • Acquisition and, where required, rehabilitation of existing residential buildings to maintain or increase the affordable rental housing stock
  • Conversion of non-residential buildings or units to purpose-built rental buildings/units

Recommended projects shall:

  • Be approved by council and/or board based on municipal/board procurement practices and in accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001.
  • Be able to sign a Contribution Agreement no later than December 31 of each program year.
  • Be able to start construction within 120 days after signing a Contribution Agreement and be completed within four years.
  • Be financially viable from a construction and operating cost perspective – based on Service Manager confirmation.
  • Meet the current Ontario Building Code and Canadian Environment Assessment Act, 2012 requirements.
  • Have rents that on average for the project are at or below 80% of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Average Market Rent for the community or as approved by the Ministry for a minimum of 20 years (see “Affordability Criteria and Rents” on page 31 of the OPHI program guidelines for additional details).
  • Provide the required equity, if applicable – 4% for partnerships between private sector and non-profit organizations; 0% for non-profit organizations.
  • Address local housing needs and target tenant groups identified in local housing and homelessness plans.
  • Are projected to maximize achievable reductions in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions relative to minimum requirements (i.e. meet or exceed the current National Energy Code and Ontario Building Code requirements for new construction; for renovations/repairs, maximize the achievable energy savings where possible when planning work or retrofits).
  • Have an occupancy plan in place to ensure that units will be occupied in a timely manner.

 Priority consideration will be given to projects that:

  • Have Contributions by Others, including the Service Manager, local municipality, and proponent – to be used in partnership with OPHI Rental Housing funding.
  • Include family-sized (multi-bedroom) units.
  • Are fully accessible and/or have units that are accessible to persons with disabilities.
  • Provide community employment benefits including:
    • Work contracts for small and medium-sized businesses
    • Job creation for apprentices, Indigenous Peoples, women in construction, veterans and newcomers to Canada
  • Have support service funding in place, if applicable.

For additional information about the OPHI Rental Housing Component, please refer to the OPHI program guidelines.

Capital Incentive Funding

Capital Incentive Funding is available through the MAHIP program. Through Capital Incentive Funding, developers, builders and homeowners may be eligible to receive funding towards the construction of rental housing. Funding amounts vary based on the affordability period as per below:

Affordability Periods
Funding Amount Affordability Period
$15,000 7 Years
$40,000 10 Years
$80,000 20 Years

Homeowners wishing to develop a secondary suite in an owner occupied home may be eligible for funding up to $25,000 for an affordability period of 8 years. Learn more about opportunities available below:

 

New Construction for Sale by Developer 
  • Funding provided through the developer in the form of down payment assistance, available upon approved purchase agreement
  • Home must be principal residence and the only home owned by any member of the purchasing household
  • Household income and asset level must be at or below level set by the District of Muskoka
  • Capital Incentive Funding Agreement to be registered on title for 20 years
  • Must have arm's length relationship between seller and purchaser
  • Home must be sold at or below the following affordability criteria as set by the District of Muskoka
New Construction Rental Units (Other than Secondary Unit in Owner Occupied Home)
  • Funding available upon receipt of occupancy permit
  • Rental units must be at or below average market rent which is set annually based on data collected by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
  • Rent limits in place for 7 years with funding of $15,000 per unit; 10 years with funding of $40,000 per unit; 20 years with funding of $80,000 per unit.
  • Applies to new construction or renovation/conversion where new units are constructed (e.g. single home converted into two units or commercial property converted into housing)
  • Preference given to rents that include some or all utility costs
  • Owner household income must be at or below the level set by the District
  • Capital Incentive Funding Agreement to be registered on title for the respective affordability period.
 New Construction Rental Units (Secondary Unit in Owner Occupied Home)
  • To be built in owner occupied homes only
  • Rental units must be at or below average market rent which is set annually based on data collected by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
  • Rent limits in place for 8 years
  • Home must be deemed structurally sound to accommodate the renovation (based on permit being issued by local Building Department)
  • Zoning must be in place to allow secondary unit
  • Renter household income must be at or below the level set by the District
  • Capital Incentive Funding Agreement to be registered on title for 8 years
Capital Incentive Program Application 

Download the application at the following link: Capital Incentive Program Application

For additional information about Capital Incentive programs please contact the Affordable Housing Office at 705-645-2412 ext. 4410 or via email.

 

Landlord Rent Supplement Program
The Landlord Rent Supplement Program is available through the MAHIP program. Landlords may be eligible to enter into rent supplement agreements where they receive a direct payment for a portion of the monthly rent (average of $235 per unit per month) toward rental units. Click here to learn more: Landlord Rent Supplement Program

What is the Muskoka Affordable Housing Initiatives Program (MAHIP)?

The Muskoka Affordable Housing Initiatives Program (MAHIP) is a multi-year program geared to low and modest-income households. Through MAHIP, the District offers funding to eligible developers, builders, buyers, and landlords to develop and provide affordable housing in Muskoka. 

MAHIP Program Objectives

Building on the goals of the Muskoka Ten Year Housing and Homelessness Plan and a "housing first" approach, MAHIP has the following key objectives:

  • Increase the supply of affordable housing and rental accommodation in the District of Muskoka by providing funding to Developers, Builders, and Landlords to encourage them to build and provide affordable housing in the District
  • Offer funding for an array of housing options that address affordable housing needs across the housing continuum
  • Encourage and support project applications that include prioritized outcomes such as attractive design and appearance, opportunities for tenant participation and engagement, and preferred locations
  • Support individuals and families who cannot afford current market rents by offering rent subsidies

 

Development Charges: You may be required to pay development charges for land development or redevelopment projects if you are constructing a new building, making an addition or alteration to an existing building that increases the number of dwelling units or the non-residential gross floor area or redeveloping a property or making interior alterations that result in a change of use to all or part of the building. Learn more about development charges by clicking this link.

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The District Municipality of Muskoka

70 Pine Street
Bracebridge, ON P1L 1N3

Phone: 705-645-2100
Fax: 705-645-5319

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