Affordable Housing

Affordable housing actions

Identifying and delivering on affordable housing solutions is a priority for this term of Council. To date, the Town has taken the following actions to support the provision of affordable housing:

1. Increasing permissions, access and awareness for two-unit house creation
2. Waiving, reducing and deferring Town fees and charges for the development of affordable housing
3. Forming an Affordable Housing Working Group to develop and recommend actions that address the Town’s affordable  housing needs
4. Building relationships with public, private and non-profit sector partners to identify and partner on affordable housing opportunities
5. Assessing and advancing Town-owned properties to facilitate the provision of additional affordable housing
6. Incorporating affordable housing as a focus area in the update of the Town’s Community Improvement Plan

Community input

What does affordable housing mean to you?

Affordable housing problems and solutions are different in every community. We want to hear your thoughts on what affordable housing means to you, and what it could look like in Halton Hills. 

Let's Talk Halton Hills 

Important links

• State of Housing - 2019 Report
• Affordable Housing Working Group TPW-2019-0031
• Affordable Housing TPW-2019-0016
• Accessory Dwelling Units in Halton Hills
• State of Housing - 2018 Report
• State of Housing - 2017 Report

About two-unit houses

In the Town of Halton Hills, a Two-Unit house is a house on one lot containing two dwelling units. 

Create an accessory dwelling unit and register a new two-unit house

A building permit is required for the creation of a new accessory dwelling unit within an existing house.

Registration of a new two-unit house has now been included in the building permit application process (with a much reduced registration fee). 

For detailed information on this process the Creation of Accessory Dwelling Units & Registration of Two-Unit Houses Guide is available on the Town’s website.

Application forms are available online and may be completed by the property’s registered owner or a person authorized by the owner.

For more information please contact the Building Permit Intake Analyst at 905-873-2600, ext. 2324.
Further information on accessory dwelling by-laws is available on our website.

Proposed Development

17 Guelph Street is envisioned as a mixed-income rental housing development in the heart of Georgetown. Within walking distance to transit and daily amenities, the site is a supportive location for households of various needs. The proposed development will contain up to 16 units and aims to integrate a mix of affordable and assisted housing, targeting the Town’s critical deficiencies along the housing continuum.

Next Steps

The Town intends to issue a public call in early 2021 to engage third-party affordable housing providers who are interested in the opportunity to design, build, operate and maintain the proposed development at 17 Guelph Street.

Town staff are undertaking pre-development work to facilitate a timely construction start. These activities include basic land-use planning approvals, environmental work, and demolition.

Public Engagement

The Town recognizes the importance of early and meaningful engagement with residents, businesses, and stakeholders in Halton Hills. Share your thoughts and ideas regarding the 17 Guelph Street project on the Affordable Housing Let’s Talk Halton Hills webpage:

Let's Talk Halton Hills

Frequently asked questions

1. Who owns the Exchange Hotel property?

   • The property was owned privately until 2013 when it was purchased by Habitat for Humanity with assistance from Mattamy Homes with the concept to re purpose the Exchange Hotel into two affordable housing rental units. The agreement with the Town is that the units would retain the look/feel of the original heritage building.

2. Why has the Town partnered with Habitat for Humanity?

   • The partnership was a natural fit given that both organizations have shared interests. The Town is committed to building its supply of diverse and affordable housing to serve the needs of the community. Habitat for Humanity Canada is "…a national, charitable organization working toward a world where everyone has a decent and affordable place to call home." (Extract from Habitat for Humanity Canada)

3. How does the Exchange Hotel project fit into the Town’s direction on increasing the supply of affordable housing?

   • The issue of affordable housing is complex, impacted by legislation and policies at all levels of government and requires a collaborative and multi-faceted approach. To date, the Town’s actions to support the development of affordable housing include:

     • Deferring or waiving planning fees and development charges for specific projects

     • Embedding new policies in the Secondary Plan for Vision Georgetown

     • Conducting studies to identify opportunities for additional residential development in existing communities

     • Implementing zoning by-law changes to increase flexibility regarding accessory units

     • Creating an Affordable Housing Working Group

     • To learn more, read report: TPW 2019-0016.

4. What is the Town’s investment/contribution to the Exchange Hotel project?

   • The Town has agreed to waive the permit and development fees for the project to an upset limit of $250,000.

5. Going forward, what is the Town’s role with the Exchange Hotel project?

   • Just as with any development, the Town is the approval authority for planning applications. Other than the financial contribution, the Town has no responsibility for the project outside of planning approval.

6. How is the history of the Exchange Hotel being respected?

   • The Town recognizes and respects the importance of preserving heritage elements and architecture and made this a condition for supporting Habitat’s development of the property. Habitat has agreed to contribute up to $150,000 above normal construction costs to replicate heritage features. In addition, Habitat has hired Heritage Specialists who will assist with the project, including the careful deconstruction, inventory and cataloguing of the heritage pieces which will be re purposed in the final building.

7. What efforts were made to preserve the building?

   • The Exchange Hotel is well over 100 years old and as with any building of that era, it has structural deficiencies which accumulated over the years. Habitat for Humanity had engaged a contractor to tarp the building but due to safety concerns, this was not carried out. From a municipal perspective, safety is the first priority and the Town is responsible for ensuring adherence to fire and building code regulations as well as upholding property

     standards under the community standards by-law.

8. What are the next steps and timeline for development of the Exchange Hotel?

   • It is anticipated that a crew (including the Heritage Architect) will be on-site during the fall of 2019 to begin the careful deconstruction of the building. Each piece will be examined to determine its heritage value and potential re-use. Pieces will be catalogued and safely stored until the time of construction which may begin in spring of 2020.

9. What is the time frame for the four town-homes that are proposed for the site?

   • Plans have been submitted for the proposed townhouses and the formal planning process is in progress and expected to be completed within the next six to eight months. Public participation is ongoing throughout the approval process. The estimated time for construction will be available upon completion of the planning process.

10. Who can I contact at the Town if I have questions about this project?

    • Please contact Ruth Conard from the Planning and Development department.

11. Where can I find out more about the work of Habitat for Humanity?

    • For more information please read Habitat for Humanity's website, call 905-637-4446, or visit 1800 Appleby Line, Unit 10, Burlington.

Important links

• First deconstruction video (December 2019)
• Neighbourhood Letter
  
  • Redevelopment progress at 37 King Street, Georgetown
  • From Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga in partnership with the Town of Halton Hills

Halton Access to Community Housing (HATCH)

If you have challenges with finding or maintaining your rental home, Halton Region may be able to help. Assistance may be in the form of rent-geared-to-income (RGI) housing, which provides safe rental housing for individuals and families with low incomes or financial assistance where you are currently renting. If you are in need of RGI housing, you can apply to Halton Access to Community Housing (HATCH). To learn more, visit Halton Region’s Assisted Housing Webpage or call 311.

Rent Supplement Program

Halton Region’s Rent Supplement Program creates new affordable housing opportunities by working with private Halton landlords to make units available for low-income households. There are many benefits to participating landlords. To learn more about becoming a participating landlord, visit Halton Region’s Rent Supplement webpage, call 311 or email rentsupplement@halton.ca.

Halton Accessibility Repair Program (HARP)

The Halton Accessibility Repair Program (HARP) provides financial assistance to eligible Halton homeowners for home repairs or accessibility modifications in the form of a combined grant and forgivable loan, up to a maximum of $15,000. For information on eligibility requirements and to apply for this program, call 311 or view the HARP Factsheet.

Housing Stability Fund

 If you are at risk of eviction/homelessness, support is available through the Housing Stability Fund. This fund provides one-time assistance to eligible Halton residents with a goal to help residents gain and retain affordable rental housing in Halton Region. Visit Halton’s Housing Stability Fund webpage or dial 311 for more information.

Halton Housing Help

 If you have challenges finding or maintaining affordable rental housing in Halton Region you can access assistance through Halton Housing Help (HHH). HHH provides support to assist you in finding and accessing affordable rental housing and community support services. To learn more, visit the Halton Housing Help webpage, or call 311.

Frequently asked questions

1. What is homelessness?

   • According to the Canadian Observatory of Homelessness, homelessness is "the situation of an individual, family, or community without stable, safe, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect means and ability of acquiring it." The homeless population is hard to count because of their mobility and the cyclical nature of homelessness. Halton Region, Social and Community Services Department estimated the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Halton Hills to be 17 individuals as of April 2018, including those staying in emergency shelter, motels, and transitional housing. An updated enumeration will take place in April 2020.  

2. How does someone become homeless?

   • People become homeless for many reasons and causes can combine to the point that an individual is no longer able to sustain a home. People become unhoused when individual and family problems become insurmountable and seem hopeless. This can include catastrophic events such as loss of employment; family break-up or violence; mental and/or other debilitating illnesses; increasing housing costs or chronic substance abuse.

3. How you can help?

   • There is help for homeless individuals in Halton Hills, supported by Halton Region. If you witness or there is someone you know who is homeless, here's what you can do:

     • Call 311: staff will triage clients to determine the best service provider to outreach and respond to the situation including providing access to the Housing Stability Fund, Emergency Shelter, Halton Housing Help or Bridging the Gap outreach

     • Call Halton Region Police non-emergency number at 905-878-5511 (1 District (Georgetown) Office): the report may be referred to the Community Engagement Team for response and appropriate referral  

4. When someone doesn't want help?

   • Often the stigma and shame attached to becoming homeless deters people who need it the most. Halton Region is aware of individuals who don't wish to access emergency shelter services, and can guide them to local supports around mental health outreach, housing related case management services as well as emergency food. Any community group concerned about a particular individual in their community is encouraged to call Halton Region to access supports and services for these vulnerable individuals. Individuals who have been identified as being homeless would be reviewed at monthly meetings of the Region's Homelessness Collaborative Table, or the Halton Situation Table where Halton Region Police are involved. 

5. What's being done to combat homelessness?

   • A Homelessness Action Table under the Community Safety and Well Being Plan was established in 2017 to develop a clear and coordinated process with government, agencies and service providers to proactively address homelessness. Recreation and Parks Department staff will continue to have a role working with Halton Region's Community Safety and Well being team to connect resources with local needs.

Important links

• Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness

The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness leads a national movement of individuals, organizations and communities working together to end homelessness in Canada.