Affordable Rental Housing Fee Waiver

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)