While many communities in Ontario are seeing a drop in housing starts, Pickering is making great progress, earning a substantial $5.2 million reward from the province for surpassing its housing goals.
In 2024, Pickering began construction on 1,880 new homes, achieving 174 percent of its target for the year and qualifying for funding from the Building Faster Fund. This program provides financial support to municipalities that meet at least 80 percent of their provincial housing targets.
This funding will enable Pickering to build more homes and enhance community infrastructure while also aligning with the province’s strategy to foster economic growth and maintain employment levels.
“For the second year in a row, Pickering has shown strong leadership by exceeding its housing targets,” said Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, who also represents Pickering-Uxbridge. “This $5.2 million investment from the Building Faster Fund will further accelerate vital housing projects underway in Pickering.”
The program was introduced in August 2023 as part of a three-year, $1.2 billion initiative aimed at encouraging municipalities to expedite approval processes and facilitate quicker home construction. It rewards local governments that demonstrate significant progress toward their goals with funding for essential housing and community infrastructure.
Moreover, the Building Faster Fund is supported by nearly $81 million invested across Durham Region through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure program, which aims to facilitate the creation of over 200,000 new homes. This includes more than $5.1 million allocated specifically to the City of Pickering.
“As one of Ontario’s fastest growing cities, Pickering is proud to answer the call by increasing housing supply and providing more choice for new and existing residents at every stage of life,” stated Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe. “We thank the Ontario government for its partnership through the Building Faster Fund, which is enabling more Ontarians to achieve the dream of home ownership and helping us shape a vibrant, inclusive future for Pickering.”
The Ontario government is also working to expedite new home construction and infrastructure development by simplifying development processes and lowering costs in close collaboration with municipalities.
“I commend Mayor Ashe for taking bold and decisive action to get homes built faster in Pickering,” remarked Housing Minister Rob Flack. “Through the Building Faster Fund … our government is equipping municipalities across Ontario with every tool in our toolbox to get shovels in the ground so families can find a place to call home.”
From January to September 2025 Ontario saw 17,202 rental starts, an increase of 38 percent compared to the same period in 2024. This marks the highest level of rental starts recorded during this time frame.
To create more housing opportunities and support growing communities, the government is extending municipalities’ timelines for utilizing funds awarded via the Building Faster Fund until 2028.
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