The City of Kitchener has received over $8 million from the provincial government for meeting local housing targets.
This funding comes from the Building Faster Fund, which gives municipalities new money based on how many homes were built in the previous year. In 2025, Kitchener saw 3,005 new homes start construction.
“This is the third year that the City of Kitchener has exceeded their housing targets through this program. It’s an impressive achievement,” said Matthew Rae, MPP for Perth-Wellington and the parliamentary assistant to the minister of municipal affairs and housing at the funding announcement on Thursday.
“We are immensely proud at the provincial level and I know you are proud locally as well. We wish more communities would follow your example in Ontario that you have set in raising the bar.”
WATCH | Kitchener receives just over $8M from province:
Kitchener receives $8M from province for exceeding housing targets in 2025
The City of Kitchener has received over $8 million from the provincial government for meeting local housing targets. This funding comes from the Building Faster Fund, which gives municipalities new money based on how many homes were built in the previous year. In 2025, Kitchener saw 3,005 new homes start construction.
The Building Faster Fund is a three-year initiative now in its final year. When it was created in 2023, it was a $1.2-billion program aimed at rewarding municipalities that reached 80 percent of their annual housing target, with a collective goal of building 1.5 million homes across Ontario.
Municipalities like Kitchener that exceed their target receive a bonus on top of their allocation. Kitchener has surpassed targets and secured funding every year since the program began.
Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic says funds received from this program in recent years have already aided development efforts within the city.
“We’ve used this funding for some land acquisitions as an example. And one of those that stands out to me is our new fire hall housing site [in downtown Kitchener].”
The downtown fire hall will be a mixed-use facility linked to rental housing. Alongside the fire station, there will be a residential building with 19 stories as well as community space and park area.
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Dignitaries gathered together to celebrate Kitchener’s latest achievement: earning over $8 million fund from the province for surpassing local housing targets. (Aastha Shetty/CBC)
“It’s no secret that Ontario, along with other parts of Canada, is facing a housing supply crisis,” said Rae.
“We’re committed to supporting Kitchener in building more homes of all types. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to get even more houses and shovels into action.”
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Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, right, and Matthew Rae, left, parliamentary assistant to the minister of municipal affairs and housing unveiled a cheque from province during Thursday’s press event. (Aastha Shetty/CBC)
Local MPPs Mike Harris and Jess Dixon attended as well to acknowledge this achievement.</P
“Achieving something like this three years running shows what hard work looks like from council that’s cooperating effectively,” said Dixon, who represents Kitchener South-Hespeler.</P
“This perfectly exemplifies what we aim for when discussing collaboration,” added MPP Harris from Kitchener-Conestoga.</P
“Everyone here has been excellent partners with us over recent years; it’s truly inspiring how we can work together to make housing more affordable here in Ontario.”
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Kitchener receives $8M from province for exceeding housing targets in 2025
The City of Kitchener has received over $8 million from the provincial government for meeting local housing targets. This funding comes from the Building Faster Fund, which gives municipalities new money based on how many homes were built in the previous year. In 2025, Kitchener saw 3,005 new homes start construction.
The Building Faster Fund is a three-year initiative now in its final year. When it was created in 2023, it was a $1.2-billion program aimed at rewarding municipalities that reached 80 percent of their annual housing target, with a collective goal of building 1.5 million homes across Ontario.
Municipalities like Kitchener that exceed their target receive a bonus on top of their allocation. Kitchener has surpassed targets and secured funding every year since the program began.
Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic says funds received from this program in recent years have already aided development efforts within the city.
“We’ve used this funding for some land acquisitions as an example. And one of those that stands out to me is our new fire hall housing site [in downtown Kitchener].”
The downtown fire hall will be a mixed-use facility linked to rental housing. Alongside the fire station, there will be a residential building with 19 stories as well as community space and park area.
Mayor expresses pride in city’s accomplishment
Vrbanovic notes that Kitchener is among only a handful of municipalities in Ontario that have secured this funding each year for three consecutive years. “It’s a clear reflection of how Kitchener continues leading with actions toward tackling the housing crisis,” he stated. <p"We're here today to highlight Team Kitchener's strong progress in accelerating housing across our community. And I'm really proud."Source link
