Affordable Housing Development Lab

The Affordable Housing Development Lab Services

1)    Preliminary interview with the project leader/team to learn about the proposed project and organizational capacity, which will include an on-site visit.

2)   An Action Plan on how to move forward.

• Financial assessment (proforma)
• Planning requirements
• Preliminary Design: proposed footprint and layout (e.g. Lego block building concept)

3)    Development Plan:  Step-by-step road map of the design and development stage to set up for success going into construction, including creating effective RFP’s for their design, development, and construction team.

Eligible Organizations

• Non-profit organizations, municipalities and small businesses that do not have prior housing development experience may apply for The Lab’s services.
• Organizations that own the project property will be prioritized. The intent of The Lab is not to complete a feasibility assessment on a hypothetical property, or a property that is not controlled by the organization. Projects may be considered where there is a conditional agreement for purchase and sale or letter of agreement, following the outcome of The Lab’s assessment and award of project financing.

Eligible Projects

The primary land use of the project property must be to create long-term affordable housing rental units within The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. The proposed project can be for supportive housing units, rooming houses, co-living units (e.g. rooming house) or multi-residential buildings. Projects geared towards detached single family homes are not eligible.

Projects must endeavor to build a minimum of five (5) affordable housing units in the first phase of development. Ownership/hybrid models of ownership will not be considered. Affordable is defined as rents that do not exceed The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville’s Affordable Housing Maximum Rent Table. Where the project proposes a phased approach, each phase must contain at least five units.

Organization’s must commit to start the first phase of construction within 24 months of receiving the Development Plan and aim for completion within 36 months.

Social Sustainability

Proposed projects must be located within a community settlement area that should include access to services appropriate for the low-income population that the project is geared for (e.g. family housing is close to schools, supportive housing is located near addictions and mental health supports), and is within a reasonable proximity to a bank, grocery store, employment area, school, library, community center, medical center or hospital.

Selected projects must be able to demonstrate how these units will be an asset to low-income households in the geographic area. 

Low-Income

Tenants selected to reside in program units must be below the Leeds and Grenville Affordable Housing Household Income Limits (HILs) and have assets that do not exceed the household assets policy.

Table 1:  Affordable Housing Household Income Limits (HILs) for Leeds and Grenville, Effective January 1, 2024

Source:  The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Community and Social Services Division

Affordability

A minimum of 30% of units in the proposed project must be Affordable, and rents must not exceed the Maximum Rent Table for Affordable Housing in Leeds and Grenville for at least twenty years. Proponents are encouraged to strive for rents that are at or below the optional Affordable Rents listed in Table 2.

There cannot be less than five units in the project committed to long-term Affordable rents. Projects aiming to provide a greater number of affordable units at a deeper affordability, and dedicated to longer affordability periods will be prioritized over other applications with shorter affordability periods.

Table 2: Maximum Rent and Affordable Rent Table for Affordable Housing Units in Leeds and Grenville, Effective July 1, 2024

Source: The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Community and Social Services Division

Energy Efficiency

Projects must aim to be durable and energy efficient. Green building features that pass energy savings along to owners and occupants is encouraged. Projects should work towards creating energy efficient building features that can reduce capital and operating costs.

Accessibility

Projects must meet all Ontario Building Code accessibility features in common/shared areas. Social Housing waitlist information can be used to assist in determining the demand for accessible units in the project’s geographic area.

The Commitment

Organizations applying for The Lab must intend to move forward on a development project to start construction within 24-48 months from the date of application. Project proposals accepted must agree to provide a minimum of 30% of the project’s units at an  Affordable rent for a minimum twenty-years.

Organizations selected for The Lab will be receiving the services at no cost, which is a significant financial benefit; as a condition for receiving this assistance a contribution agreement will be registered on the title of the proposed project property for a period of three years, and will be released at the cost of the recipient. This is regardless of whether the project moves forward to construction.

Applications for The Lab

The Lab’s application window will open on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, and close on Friday, September 13, 2024.  Applications are submitted by completing the online application, which is found here.

A printer friendly version is available here to view the complete application form, and be used as a resource in the development of your application; however all applicants are requested to submit their application by completing the online form at the link provided. 

For any questions about The Lab, or the application process, contact Caroline Rigutto, Affordable Housing Coordinator, at Caroline.Rigutto@uclg.on.ca, or 613-342-3840 /1-800-267-8146, ext. 2327.