Affordable Rental Housing Fee Waiver

The Affordable Rental Housing Fee Waiver program exempts non-profit developers of affordable rental housing in Kitchener from paying development application fees and building permit fees, supporting the creation of new, transit-accessible affordable units.

City of Kitchener – Planning Division

Overview of the Affordable Rental Housing Fee Waiver program:

This City of Kitchener incentive supports non-profit corporations developing affordable rental housing by eliminating two major municipal costs: development application fees and building permit fees. The goal is to reduce financial barriers for community-based housing providers and encourage development of affordable, transit-oriented rental units. To qualify, projects must be located within 450 metres of Kitchener’s transit corridors (as defined in the program's eligibility map) and must include a minimum of 20% of units priced at or below 80% of average market rent for the region. These affordability thresholds align with the City’s housing policies aimed at increasing supply for low- to moderate-income renters. This program is intended to complement other municipal supports, such as the Not-for-Profit Affordable Rental and Co-op Housing Incentive (Pilot). Waived fees can significantly reduce pre-construction and permitting costs, improving project feasibility and potentially freeing up resources for quality design and amenities. Applicants must demonstrate non-profit status and submit documentation on affordability levels, site location, and development details as part of the application process.

Benefits of the Affordable Rental Housing Fee Waiver program:

Reduces early-stage financial burden on non-profit housing providers
Supports transit-accessible, affordable housing projects
Incentivizes inclusive development practices
May be used in conjunction with other city and provincial housing programs
Streamlines municipal approvals by integrating affordability requirements early in the process

Eligibility criteria of the Affordable Rental Housing Fee Waiver program:

Eligible Applicants:
Must be a non-profit corporation registered in Ontario
Must have legal ownership or development rights to the proposed site
Eligible Projects Must:
Be located within 450 metres of a designated transit corridor (as per program map)
Include at least 20% of residential units priced at or below 80% of the region's average market rent
Be new affordable rental housing developments
Meet local planning and zoning requirements
Provide supporting documentation with the application (e.g., affordability analysis, site plan)