Additional details for applicants
This information includes answers to questions we’ve received from applicants in the past.
Incentives offered
Peel Region is offering capital grants through the Peel Affordable Rental Incentives Program, previously known as the Affordable Housing Incentives Pilot Program.
Incentives per unit
The incentive per unit depends on the depth of affordability being offered. The Program guidelines will provide additional detail on the per unit limits and the corresponding depth of affordability required from the project. The Program will award funding to one or more applicants through an evaluation process designed to maximize the number of net new affordable rental housing units. It is important to note that successful applicants may not receive the full amount of funding requested in their applications.
Affordability
The maximum rental rates for affordable units are 100% of Median Market Rent (MMR) for the local municipality, as reported annually by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). This level of affordability aligns with the needs of Peel’s middle-income renter households.
Unit mix requirements and rounding
The unit mix of the affordable units must generally align with the building unit mix, with flexibility to provide larger units in place of smaller units.
Unit size requirements
There are no unit size requirements specific to the program; however, the affordable units must be similar in size to market units within the development.
Unit number requirements
Your project must offer a minimum of 5 affordable units. The units must be in the same project, and the entire residential portion of the project must be operated as purpose-built rental for the duration of the agreement (minimum of 25 years from the initial occupancy).
Applicant qualifications
If you don’t have experience as a housing provider, you may hire or retain the services of a team with experience in housing development or rental management. Be sure to include the details of their service agreement in your application.
On-site community uses vs. community uses in the surrounding area
There is no difference in score if community uses are provided on site or in the surrounding area.
Parking requirements for affordable units
You must plan for parking according to local municipal parking requirements.
Ongoing maintenance and capital improvements of existing affordable housing on site
The Program is designed to support the development net new affordable rental housing units. Funding to support existing affordable rental housing units is not being provided through this program.
Location of affordable units within the building
We recommend that the affordable units be located throughout the building and mixed with market units, however, this is not a requirement.
Land ownership of project site at the time of application
The project lands do not need to be owned by the applicant at the time of the application. There is a requirement that the lands are owned by either the applicant or a related/affiliated organization prior to the execution of any funding or ancillary agreements. Additional information from the applicant regarding the ownership of the land, and the anticipated transfer/sale is required as the owner of the land will be a party to the agreement(s).
Scoring for planned amenities outlined in the guidelines and application requirements
Planned amenities should have a planning application submitted, and at minimum, official plan, and zoning approvals in effect. We’ll award points if we’re reasonably sure the amenity will advance.
Determining project viability
We’ll evaluate the information provided by applicants in the project assessment spreadsheet (Excel template) for consistency across applications. We’ll compare this information to industry benchmarks, identifying and reviewing any major variances. In addition, the spreadsheet includes a calculation of the debt coverage ratio to support the assessment of project viability.
Electricity allowance
Should a project be required to reduce rental rates by an electricity allowance amount, the following rates will be applied. This will not apply to all projects and must be confirmed with program staff.
| Unit type | Electricity allowance |
|---|---|
| Bachelor or 1-bedroom unit | $35 |
| 2-bedroom unit | $50 |
| 3-bedroom unit | $55 |
Source: Ontario Regulation 316/19 January 1, 2024, (e-Laws currency date), Table 4 (rows 1 and 2), Table 5 (rows 8 and 9), rounded.
Planning approvals required
The proposed budgets and future rental rates for projects in the early stages of municipal approvals will have more uncertainty. Applications that are more advanced through the planning approvals process with the relevant local municipality will score higher.
Development schedule
Projects that are under construction will be considered as long as the minimum of 5 net new affordable rental housing units will be provided and no other capital funding has been received from other Peel Region programs or initiatives. Applications will not be considered where the municipality has granted full or partial occupancy for the proposed project, prior to the close of the Call for Applications.
Other sources of government funding
Please include all information about sources of funding you are exploring, including pending sources, in your application. If you intend on applying for CMHC financing or municipal incentives that have not yet been approved, let us know.
Development qualifications
Applicants must demonstrate their ability and experience in developing housing or retain services with this experience. Examples of recent housing developments (within the last 5 years) could be any multi-unit residential development, including purpose-built rental or condo.
Application status updates
We’ll aim to make our decision within about 2 months of the deadline for applications. Final Council approval for required municipal by-laws is anticipated to take place within about 4 months of the deadline for applications subject to the Peel Region Council meeting calendar. You will be informed of the status of your application within this timeframe.
Next call for applications
Applicants that were unsuccessful in previous Calls for Applications can re-apply to future rounds.
Increases to affordable unit rents
Rent increases for the affordable units would be limited to the terms and conditions of the contribution agreement with Peel Region.
Market units within the building would not be subject to the terms and conditions of the contribution agreement with Peel Region and should follow the Residential Tenancies Act.
Expected clauses in the contribution agreement
The Template Contribution Agreement may be requested by sending an email to parip@peelregion.ca. Applicants should review the Template Contribution Agreement prior to submitting their application. If successful, applicants will be required to execute a contribution agreement in substantially the same form.
Funding for more than one application
We are open to funding more than one application. The number of applications funded will depend on the pool of eligible applications we receive, and the funding available to us.
Funding timelines
In most cases, successful applicants will receive their capital funding at full building permit issuance by the city or town authorities having jurisdiction and upon registration of the funding agreement on title to the project land.
Operational costs
No operational funding is available through the Peel Affordable Rental Incentives Program.
Project timeline
We expect successful applicants to ensure the project advances in a timely manner, and projects that will begin construction sooner or have already begun construction will received additional scoring.
Peel Region waiting list vs. general public
It is anticipated that tenants for affordable units would be from the general public. Successful applicants would be required to do the following:
- Publicly advertise and identify appropriate households for the affordable units.
- Verify income on initial rent-up, annually, and at every unit turnover to ensure that household income for prospective tenants does not exceed Peel Region’s middle income households thresholds.
Rent supplement agreement with Peel Region
In most cases, it's not expected that a rent supplement agreement be incorporated into successful projects. Peel Region may consider this on a project-by-project basis, however any such agreements shall be separate from the Affordable Rental Incentives Program.
Partnerships with non-profits
We are open to private applicants partnering with non-profits. Please review the Program guidelines and include the scope and details of the contractual relationship in your application.