Community Improvement Plan improves sustainable and affordable housing in the city

RICHMOND HILL – In a significant effort to address housing affordability and environmental sustainability, Richmond Hill Council has approved close to $20 million in conditional funding to support three major housing projects through the City’s Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for Affordable Housing and Sustainable Design program.

The funding recipients and approved projects are:

• Richmond Hill Ecumenical Homes Corporation: an eight-storey affordable rental building at 288 Major Mackenzie Drive East, receiving $4.2 million.
• Mon Sheong Foundation: a 36-storey seniors rental building at 189 Vogell Road, receiving $4.1 million, with up to an additional $4.1 million subject to the availability of future funding.
• 9700 Yonge GP Inc.: duo-purpose-built rental towers at 9700 Yonge Street, receiving $3.7 million, with up to an additional $3.6 million subject to the availability of future funding.

The projects will add up to 209 affordable rental units to the community, achieving a major milestone in Richmond Hill’s commitment to a vibrant and inclusive city of neighbours. All projects exceed the City’s Sustainability Metrics Program base requirements and will remain affordable for at least 25 years.

This approval marks the first phase of CIP funding following program launch and a funding application period earlier this year. The program aims to provide incentives to both private and non-profit developers to build sustainably built affordable rental homes in the city.

The CIP is one of nine initiatives Richmond Hill is completing as a part of its $31 million Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) agreement with the Federal Government through the Canada and Mortgage Housing Corporation.

In addition, the City is also launching an Affordable Housing Concierge Pilot Program which will prioritize affordable housing projects and provide non-profit organizations and housing developers with a single point of contact to help streamline planning approvals and building permits.

To learn more, visit RichmondHill.ca/AffordableHousing. 

 Quick Facts

• The CIP for Affordable Housing and Sustainable Design aligns with the City’s 2024–2027 Strategic Plan to create livable communities and encourage sustainable development while addressing socio-economic and environmental challenges.
• In 2021, Council endorsed an Affordable Housing Strategy that recommends the implementation of a CIP to incentivize affordable housing and purpose-built rental housing.
• The CIP supports the 2021 Community Energy and Emissions Plan by ensuring affordable housing is designed and operated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the long-term as well as implementing recommendations to provide financial incentives to support greater sustainability scores as part of the updated 2023 Sustainability Metrics Program.

Quote

“We all recognize that we are in a housing crisis. With this funding, we are supporting the creation of crucial affordable homes and ensuring they stay affordable for at least 25 years. These new investments will open the door to more affordable homes for the people who work in Richmond Hill, seniors ready to embrace a new chapter and multi-generational families who want to stay close to one another. I am optimistic that we are supporting the creation of not just housing, but opportunities for families to grow and thrive in our wonderful city.”

- Mayor David West