Hamilton is set to receive $572 million from both the federal and Ontario governments aimed at significant infrastructure projects, including new housing, while the city removes residential development charges for three years.
Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack joined Mayor Andrea Horwath and federal representatives in Stoney Creek, in front of a housing project by Hamilton-based Marz Homes, to make the announcement on Wednesday.
This funding will back six initiatives, such as further road widening and reconstruction on Barton Street, Lewis Road, Rymal Road, and Garner Road. It will also help expand the Woodward Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant and Greenhill Water Pumping Station, according to a news release from the city.
Horwath described this funding as the largest investment in roads, water, and wastewater infrastructure that Hamilton has ever seen.
“This is a historic investment in Hamilton’s future,” she said.
“This investment will build and improve roads, expand water and wastewater capacity, and unlock the potential for more than 31,000 new homes across Hamilton.”
The city mentioned that the expansion of Woodward is expected to provide wastewater capacity for up to 97,000 additional homes, while the Greenhill project could accommodate another 4,400.
Why Hamilton got recognized
The $572 million comes from Ontario’s Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP), which is part of an overall fund-$8.8 billion-that both federal and provincial governments agreed upon for infrastructure investments over the next decade.
Cities receiving this funding must reduce development charges by at least 30 percent for three years. They also need to cover at least 10 percent of project costs.
Flack stated that Hamilton was rewarded because they completely eliminated their development charges.
“Hamilton got rid of them 100 percent , so that gave [them]the gold star.”
The charges will be removed for residential developments retroactively from March 30 this year until March 31 ,2029.
Flack added that Hamilton ‘s application was the strongest one submitted through this program.
“Full stop , it was the best application we received under DCRP.”
Passing savings on to buyers
The province estimates that eliminating development charges could lower building costs for a new home by up to $100 ,442.
When combined with up to $130 ,000 in savings available through expanded HST relief on eligible new homes , these efforts could save families in Hamilton over $230 ,000 off their new home costs , according to an Ontario news release.
John-Paul Danko , Liberal MP for Hamilton West – Ancaster – Dundas and a former councillor of Hamilton , emphasized that builders should ensure consumers benefit from these cost reductions.He suggested those savings could also be used towards constructing more family-sized housing options like two-and three-bedroom units.
“Now that construction costs.. have potentially dropped by hundreds of thousands of dollars , we want those savings passed on directly to buyers.”
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The city anticipates starting construction on Lewis Road in 2027,
Rymal Road in 2028,
and a section of Barton Street between Fruitland Road and Fifty Road in 2029.
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