Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Guelph is introducing a new grant aimed at accelerating multi-unit housing projects, providing funding to help developments move through the permitting process and into construction ahead of a 2026 deadline.
Starting June 1, this program will offer financial assistance to qualifying developments as part of a $2 million initiative funded by the federal Housing Accelerator Fund. The goal is to bring new housing units to market quicker by minimizing delays in the development process.
“Today’s housing market is putting pressure on projects, and we want to make it easier for builders to access funding and get homes built faster,” said Mayor Cam Guthrie. “With the unanimous support of Council, and thanks to the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund, we’re launching this grant to help projects move ahead.
“Faster timelines mean new homes built, more people housed, and continued progress on our housing commitments.”
Grants of up to $10,000 per unit will be available for up to 20 percent of eligible units within a project. To qualify, developments must have at least five new self-contained housing units and must obtain a building permit by October 16, 2026.
Applications will be open from June 1 until July 5, 2026, with funding awarded on a first-come, first-served basis according to when applications are submitted.
Officials expect that this program will speed up the delivery of around 1,000 housing units, with up to 20 percent of those units eligible for financial support.
To apply or find out if you’re eligible, applicants should visit the City of Guelph’s Multi-Unit Accelerator Grant page at guelph. ca/housing.
Over the last two years, more than 22,000 potential housing units have been approved. In both 2024 and 2025 alone, Guelph approved 3,269 housing units through development applications while issuing building permits for 1,256 units since 2024.
This new initiative aims to build upon that momentum by facilitating quicker approvals and construction schedules in response to ongoing demand for housing.
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