Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF)

Increase Height & Density – to support new housing units close and connected to transit

What does this look like?

• Increase height allowance of high-rise buildings near the Whitby GO Station.
• Allow 4-storey buildings in other areas targeted for transit connectivity.
• Town-wide Parking Reduction Study to explore opportunities to create a more sustainable community.
• Appropriate zoning as updated through the Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review and the Official Plan update.

Inclusionary Zoning – to support more affordable housing units near transit

What does this look like?

• New Inclusionary Zoning to include a defined percentage of affordable housing units near the Whitby GO Station.

Urban Area Expansion – to expand the available land for development

What does this look like?

• Working with the Province and Durham Region to expand the developable area in northern Whitby to support a range of housing options and types.

Surplus Land Inventory and Disposition Strategy – to inventory lands currently owned by the Town to determine possible partnerships and lands that can be dedicated to housing development

What does this look like?

• An inventory of available Town lands that could be used to support housing, including affordable housing.
• Partnering with external organizations to create new affordable housing in Whitby.

E-permitting Expansion – expansion of online services that support housing permits and development

What does this look like?

• Streamlined approval and permitting processes related to Planning, Building, and Engineering.
• Moving the Town’s current paper permit processes for residential units online, using a new e-permitting tool. This tool will allow for the submission of online permit applications and their payments and creates a user-friendly portal with up-to-date status tracking and review.

Legal Additional Dwelling Unit Program – to expand the number of residential housing units on residential lots

What does this look like?

• Expanding the Town’s existing allowable three units per residential lot to four.
• New financial incentives to create more housing on existing residential lots.
• Review, update, and approval of the Town’s Official Plan policies and zoning (launching later this year).

Build Innovative Greatness (BIG) – to streamline processes and approvals and drive innovation to support housing development

What does this look like?

• More Town staff trained in lean processes to find efficiencies in the housing approval process.
• Partnerships to explore pre-approved designs for Additional Dwelling Units, prefabricated homes, and modular homes. Learn more about pre-approved designs.
• Promotion of alternate construction materials such as mass timber. Mass timber has a positive green development standard impact and would also decrease construction costs, which would improve affordability.
• Concierge Program to Incentivize Purpose Built Rentals through streamlined processes that will expedite approvals. Developers looking for more information or support from this program can reach out to housingconcierge@whitby.ca.

Low-Carbon & Climate Resilient Whitby – to support sustainable development

What does this look like?

• Continued implementation of the Town’s Climate Emergency Response Plan, Whitby Green Standard, and Zero Carbon Whitby projects to support sustainable development.
• Partnerships to support local sustainability projects, plans and programs.

Partnership with the Region on the Durham Greener Homes Program, making it easier and more affordable for Durham residents to enjoy an energy efficient, comfortable, and climate friendly home. Learn more about the program.

Community Improvement Plan – to spur mixed-use residential development in Downtown Whitby

What does this look like?

• On January 30, 2024, Whitby Town Council approved $2.5 million – or ten per cent – of its Federal Housing Accelerator Fund grant received to be used toward projects that spur residential development in Downtown Whitby.
• The funding will be made available through the Town’s existing Community Improvement Plan (CIP), a program aimed at supporting local businesses and stimulating new investment in Downtown Whitby.
• Partial Development Charge Exemptions will be provided for High Density Residential and Mixed-use Residential development projects supported through the funding.
• Collectively, these projects will help provide residents with new housing options within walking distance of downtown businesses and amenities, along rapid transit routes – helping to create a more connected, pedestrian-friendly community.