Clarington takes ground-breaking step to create more affordable housing

Clarington, Ontario – The Municipality of Clarington is proud to become the first municipality in the province to request a Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator (CIHA) order to fast-track new affordable housing.

Municipalities can use Ontario’s new CIHA tool to request expedited zoning for long-term care facilities, affordable housing, and economic development opportunities.

On Monday, December 12, Clarington Council voted to request the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to expedite the zoning for 200 Baseline Road in Bowmanville to permit 32 affordable townhouses and an accessible three-storey apartment building with 52 units for low and moderate-income households and local seniors.

Durham Region Non-Profit Housing, Habitat for Humanity GTA, the Regional Municipality of Durham and the Municipality of Clarington are partnering to create new affordable housing in the community. Clarington unlocked municipally owned land to support the development of these new housing units.

Special thanks to the Clarington Task Force on Affordable Housing for their advocacy efforts related to the development of this site.

Background:

• In spring 2022, the Province of Ontario introduced Bill 109, the More Homes for Everyone Act. It created a new minister’s order authority called the Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator (CIHA) order. This change authorizes the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to make orders to respond to municipal requests for expedited zoning outside of the Greenbelt Area.

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Media inquiries:
Municipality of Clarington
Jennifer O’Meara
Communications and Issues Management Specialist
905-260-2844 or jomeara@clarington.net