Open
Source change captured:
Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) - St. Catharines Implementation
Housing funding for St. Catharines
Funding available
$ 100,000
Location
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Overview
Housing Accelerator Fund supports housing supply growth in St. Catharines through CMHC-backed municipal funding. It helps finance initiatives such as financial incentives, the ADU Program, and rental housing discount measures.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new program or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- St. Catharines
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Housing
Target groups
- General public
- Seniors
- People with disabilities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Low-income individuals / families
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- Municipal
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Accessory dwelling unit programs.
- Rental housing discount initiatives.
- Fee reimbursement measures for eligible housing projects.
- Housing incentives supporting new home construction in St. Catharines.
Sources and recorded changes
- Source change captured
- Change recorded
- Record updated
A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.
HAF update history changed
The Housing Accelerator Fund page now shows less of the recent update history, including the March 23, 2026 funding update and the third-instalment details.
The Housing Accelerator Fund page now starts later in the update history, and the recent March 23, 2026 funding update is no longer visible at the top of the page. The removed content previously showed the City’s third CMHC instalment of $6.42 million, equal to 25 per cent of the total HAF investment, and noted that the HAF-funded ADU applications were being accepted beginning April 1 until funding is no longer available. The page still presents the overall HAF overview and the city’s $25.7 million investment, so this looks like a material update-history and funding-details change rather than a full program rewrite. Public-facing contact information was not clearly changed, and the core scope of the program appears largely the same.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- City of St. Catharines housing applicants.
- Applicants for eligible housing incentives.
- Organizations or developers involved in HAF-funded housing initiatives.
Who is not eligible
- Long-term care facilities
- Projects outside St. Catharines
- Applicants that do not meet the program’s housing provider requirements
Eligible expenses
- Financial incentives for housing projects.
- Development charge discounts.
- Fee reimbursements related to eligible housing initiatives.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Development charges from the Region of Niagara or the school board
- Units that only meet minimum accessibility requirements
- Long-term care facilities under the affordable housing fee reimbursement policy
Eligible geographic areas
- St. Catharines, Ontario
Selection criteria
- Project eligibility under the applicable policy
- Funding availability
- Application completeness
- Order of receipt for some programs
How to apply
- Step 1: Review the applicable program guide
- Check the specific policy or applicant guide for the incentive you want to use.
- Step 2: Complete the application package
- Fill in the required form and any declaration forms.
- Attach the supporting documents required by the program.
- Step 3: Submit with the related City application
- Submit the reimbursement application with the planning or building permit application, as required.
- For some programs, submit by email, mail, or in person at City Hall.
- Step 4: City review and decision
- City staff review the submission and may request more information.
- If approved, the City issues a confirmation letter or proceeds with the funding process.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by City staff for completeness and eligibility.
- Applicants may be contacted for additional information during review.
- Eligible projects receive a formal approval letter when funding is available.
- Some programs require a legal agreement before funding is issued.
- Some incentives are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additional information
- Some incentives remain open until funding is exhausted.
- Applications for the ADU Program are accepted starting April 1.
- Applications for the DC Rental Housing Discount Grant are based on the City’s Housing Accelerator Fund.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) - St. Catharines Implementation Program
What is the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) - St. Catharines Implementation?
Housing Accelerator Fund supports housing supply growth in St. Catharines through CMHC-backed municipal funding. It helps finance initiatives such as financial incentives, the ADU Program, and rental housing discount measures.
How much funding can be received?
Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) - St. Catharines Implementation Funds up to 70% of admissible expenses, capped at $100,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) - St. Catharines Implementation program?
To be eligible for the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) - St. Catharines Implementation program, you must:
Project in St. Catharines
Must fit a HAF initiative
Must follow City program rules
What expenses are eligible under Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) - St. Catharines Implementation?
Financial incentives for housing projects.
Development charge discounts.
Fee reimbursements related to eligible housing initiatives.
Who can I contact for more information about the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) - St. Catharines Implementation?
You can contact City of St. Catharines by email at HAF@stcatharines.ca or by phone at 905-680-6964.
Where is the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) - St. Catharines Implementation available?
The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) - St. Catharines Implementation program is available the province of Ontario.