Kitchener receives over $10 million from the province for exceeding 2024 housing target

Kitchener, ON - Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Rob Flack and area MPPs were welcomed by Mayor Berry Vrbanovic and City Councillors today at Kitchener City Hall for a special announcement awarding Kitchener $10,292,800 for exceeding their 2024 housing target. This is the second year in a row that Kitchener has exceeded its provincial housing target.

This contribution is part of the province’s Building Faster Fund and was awarded to Kitchener for achieving just over 105% of its housing target in 2024 by delivering 3,067 units of housing.

“Receiving funding through the Building Faster Fund for the second year in a row reflects our Council, staff and community’s commitment to getting more housing built,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “We sincerely appreciate the provincial government’s partnership and recognition of Kitchener’s bold action to accelerate housing development.”

In March 2023, Kitchener City Council unanimously approved a housing pledge that will support the building of 35,000 additional homes in the City by 2031. This pledge demonstrates our commitment to unlocking more housing, streamlining development approvals, removing barriers and accelerating planning in support of the province’s housing target. In just 2 ½ years since making its housing pledge, Kitchener Council has already issued planning approvals that are quickly bringing Kitchener to 50% of its commitments, giving developers the green light they need to proceed with construction and getting foundations in the ground.

The City’s efforts have been demonstrated by being only one of eleven municipalities in Ontario to exceed their housing target two years in a row. Kitchener is also the largest municipality to exceed the targets in two consecutive years.

“I want to express my gratitude to Premier Ford, Minister Flack, as well as Minister Harris, MPP Dixon and the Government of Ontario for their ongoing support of Kitchener,” said Mayor Vrbanovic. “This funding is a testament to what we can achieve when all orders of government, industry and community partners work together toward a shared goal. Together, we’re building a stronger Kitchener and a stronger Ontario.”

For more information:
Shannon Weber
Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor and Council
City of Kitchener
shannon.weber@kitchener.ca