Barrie city council has approved an additional $50 million for the city’s development charges (DC) plans, bringing the total to $80 million in an effort to spur more affordable housing construction.
Council approved the funding increase during its Oct. 1 meeting, expanding the pilot program that waives residential DCs for eligible projects. Developments with existing building permits are not eligible.
Development charges help municipalities recover growth-related infrastructure costs from developers, ensuring existing residents aren’t left paying for new development. The waivers will be paid from the city’s tax capital reserve, which held $77 million.
Mayor Alex Nuttall called the investment “historic.”
The mayor added the move represents the most significant effort to expand affordable housing since the construction of the Mill Creek townhome complex in the early 1990s.
“When you couple this investment with what Mapleview Church is doing — creating another 31 units — and what the County of Simcoe is building, you’re seeing hundreds and hundreds of affordable units being created in Barrie,” he said.
Council first approved the DC waiver pilot program in August, for residential developments five storeys or taller. To qualify, projects must provide at least 20 per cent affordable housing, submit applications by Dec. 31, 2025, and begin construction before May 31, 2026. Nuttall has stated that no extensions will be granted.
Eligible projects include a 34-storey tower at 18 Grove St. W., which will add 363 rental units, including 73 affordable units. A seven-storey building at 60 Dean Ave. will provide 122 rental units, 24 of which will be affordable, and at 52 Lakeside Terrace, a 12-storey building is planned with 231 rental units, including 46 affordable units.
In total, the waivers amount to $25.6 million so far, with more projects expected to qualify as the fund expands.
