Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Brampton has joined a growing list of municipalities signing housing accelerator agreements with the federal government.
Brampton’s deal includes an agreement to build more than 3,100 new homes in the city over the next three years.
“The City of Brampton is a committed partner in the solution for more affordable housing for residents,” said Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown. “This growth will be supported sustainably and strategically, focusing on higher-density development near transit corridors to ensure that while we’re meeting the needs of residents, we’re also reducing barriers to the development of housing in key areas of the city.”
Through the housing accelerator fund, Brampton will receive about $114 million to eliminate barriers and fast track new-housing construction, allowing for high-density development near the city’s transit corridors, reduced barriers to development of housing in urban centres, boulevards, and major public transit stations.
Brampton has also committed to expanding the as-of-right zoning permission for housing, including permitting four residential units and four storeys within 800 metres of transit, which covers the vast majority of the city.
The work is expected to help spur the construction of more than 24,000 homes over the next decade and help meet the demand in Brampton.
“We need to build more homes, faster,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “That means working with mayors that want to cut red tape and help change the way we build homes in this country. It’s what this announcement in Brampton is all about. By investing in programs like the Housing Accelerator Fund, we’re building the foundation for a more stable, affordable, and prosperous life for millions of Canadians from coast to coast to coast.”
Brampton is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Canada. The city is expected to reach a population of 1 million by 2051, driven by factors such as international and domestic trade, investments in public transit, and its proximity to urban centres like Toronto.
Recently, the federal government announced similar agreements with London and Vaughan, Ontario. Combined, they will fast track the creation of over 3,900 additional housing units in both cities over the next three years alone, and thousands more units in the years to come.