Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Stream

Overview

The Housing-Enabling Core Servicing funding stream will help municipalities build, maintain and repair municipal roads, bridges and culverts. These projects will unlock new housing opportunities and ensure communities have safe and reliable roadways and transit infrastructure.

We are providing $400 million over three years through the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing stream under the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program.

Eligibility

Applicants

All municipalities that own road and bridge assets are eligible to apply for funding. 

Ineligible applicants

Municipalities that have New Deal agreements in place are not eligible (either as a primary or co-applicant).

Eligible projects

To be eligible for funding, projects must:

• enable housing development
• be stand-alone or a component of a larger project
• include a capital component and may also include pre-construction planning and design work
• be new construction, rehabilitation/repair, reconstruction or replacement
• have a clear start and end date
• be in the process of, or completed, the design and planning phase
• have not started construction
• meet all relevant provincial regulatory requirements

Roads and bridges assets (bridges include culverts with a span greater than three metres) are eligible for funding, including:

• any road and bridge asset that is physically connected to a housing development
• site servicing costs related to the asset(s) funded by the project, including utility relocation 

Joint projects

We encourage joint projects between multiple eligible applicants, where each co-applicant contributes financially to the project. As part of the assessment process, we will give additional consideration to joint projects that enable housing development.

Each single municipality is allowed to submit one application. If a municipality chooses to submit a joint application with another municipality, the submission would be counted as their single application.

Multiple projects that support the same housing development area must be submitted as a joint application.

Indigenous projects

Indigenous projects are ineligible to be submitted as standalone projects. However, we encourage municipalities to submit projects that benefit Indigenous communities.

Ineligible projects and costs 

Ineligible projects include:

• projects that have started construction
• trade corridor and industrial roads, except portions that connect communities and maintain and enable housing

All costs associated with preparing the application are ineligible for funding and should not be included in the scope or financials of the application.

Additional eligibility and project conditions can be found in the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program – Housing-Enabling Core Servicing stream program guidelines. These guidelines are also available through the application on Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON).

Funding amounts

Standard cost sharing

Projects will be cost shared between municipalities and the province. The province would fund a maximum of 50% (up to $20 million) of eligible project costs, and the municipality would be required to fund all remaining (a minimum of 50%) project costs.

Joint applications

For joint applications, the primary applicant can apply for up to $20 million in provincial contribution on total eligible costs, times the number of applicants.

For example, a joint project with three eligible co-applicants can submit a project with a combined provincial contribution of up to $60 million ($20 million multiplied by three eligible applicants equals $60 million).

Indigenous projects

For projects submitted by a municipality that benefit Indigenous communities, the provincial contribution of funding does not multiply as these are not considered joint applications.

Stacking

Municipalities may combine (stack) other federal and municipal funding to fund the 50% minimum recipient contribution. Municipalities are responsible for determining if federal funding can be used towards the project being submitted to the province.

Provincial stacking will not be permitted, with the exception of funding received from the Building Faster Fund (BFF) and the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF).

How to apply

The application process is administered through Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON). 

1. Create a My Ontario Account and register for TPON.
2. Log in to TPON.
3. Search for Housing-Enabling Core Servicing stream.
4. Download the application form and complete it offline. Validate and save the application form once completed.
5. Submit your application and all supporting documentation through TPON. 

Applications and all supporting documentation must be submitted through TPON by 4:59 p.m. (EST) on October 18, 2024.

The application form and detailed program guidelines for the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program – Housing-Enabling Core Servicing stream, including the application process, project conditions, assessment criteria, and financial matters, are available on TPON.

After you apply

Once a completed application form has been submitted on TPON, an automated acknowledgement of receipt and a file number will be emailed to the primary applicant.

Projects will be assessed and evaluated based on information submitted at the time of application.