Not-for-profit affordable rental and co-op housing incentive (pilot)

• Completed application form
• Proof of incorporation
• Certified resolution of the Board of Directors authorizing the project
• If applicable, a signed partnership agreement and any consultant or agent agreements
• Project budget, conceptual site layouts, project schedule, financial statements, previous project details, and land status or proof of ownership documents

Who is eligible?

• A corporation to which the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 applies, that is in good standing under that Act and whose primary objective is to provide housing.
• A corporation without share capital to which the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act applies, that is in good standing under that Act and whose primary objective is to provide housing.
• A non-profit housing co-operative that is in good standing under the Co-operative Corporations Act.
• An organization that is a registered charity within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) or a non-profit organization exempt from tax under paragraph 149 (1) (l) of that Act, and whose land is owned by the organization, all or part of which is to be used as affordable housing.

Who is not eligible

• Projects with a building permit issued for the proposed new units

Eligible expenses

• Analysis of need and demand for the proposed project; project viability assessment plan/analysis - pro forma; preliminary financial feasibility; business plans
• Property appraisal; land surveys; planning analysis and studies; project drawings and specifications; environmental site assessments; geotechnical surveys; energy modelling; accessibility modelling studies; engineering studies
• Construction cost estimates; Quantity Surveyor; contract documents; legal fees associated with land development; interior design consultant services
• Other plans or studies, as required through a Planning Act application or building permit
• Municipal, development permit and other government agency fees not covered by the affordable rental housing fee waiver program; other items not on this list subject to City of Kitchener approval

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Capital costs
• Projects with a building permit already issued for the proposed units
• Units that are not new affordable dwelling units

Eligible geographic areas

• Kitchener, Ontario

• Project viability under financial review
• Readiness to achieve building permit issuance by September 1, 2026
• Fit with the program’s goal of creating new affordable units

• Complete the application form and assemble the required supporting information outlined on the form.
• Email the complete application package to planning.applications@kitchener.ca by email only.
• If the application package is larger than 10 MB, request a ShareFile link for submission.

• If approved, a legal agreement will be prepared by the City Solicitor and executed by all parties prior to the release of funding.
• Funding will be released incrementally at key development application milestones and in conjunction with completion of each project milestone.
• A summary report will be required at each project milestone and will be outlined in an agreement.
• The City retains the right to ask for more detailed financial information.

• City staff can assign a project manager to work closely with the applicant, coordinate issue resolution, and help meet funding deadlines and development timelines.