Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of St. Catharines recorded a record year for building permits, issuing more than 1,025 new dwelling units in 2025 and surpassing its target under a federal housing program.
Of those, 1,001 units were supported by $4.5 million in financial incentives through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Fund. The city said the total included about 900 purpose-built rental units and 43 affordable housing units. It also approved incentives for 44 accessory dwelling units in 2025.
In January 2024, the federal housing agency announced a $25.7-million, four-year agreement with St. Catharines under the program, which provides funding to municipalities to speed up housing construction through policy changes and financial incentives.
“The City’s Housing Accelerator Fund program is working and driving measurable increases in housing supply,” said Mayor Mat Siscoe.
Officials are awaiting confirmation of $6.4 million in year-three funding for 2026.
Over the first two years of the program, council has committed $12.8 million for policy and regulatory reforms and financial incentives aimed at boosting housing supply.
Since 2024, the city has issued permits for 1,483 new units. That leaves 899 units remaining to meet its four-year target of 2,382 new dwelling units.
“This federal investment has spurred transformative policy changes and accelerated development through a variety of incentive programs,” said chief administrative officer David Oakes.
The momentum is continuing into 2026, with permits for 500 additional units expected in the coming weeks along with the launch of a municipal development corporation that has received five surplus city-owned properties and signed agreements for an 800-unit phased rental development and a 22-unit rental project.
Also, a downtown forgivable loan program has supported 12 new units in vacant spaces, and green infrastructure features are being incorporated into the Sunset Beach renovation project as part of efforts to support climate-resilient growth.
