The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is a federal initiative launched to support municipalities in increasing housing supply and meeting population growth demands. In 2024, the Township of Woolwich received HAF funding to fast-track the development of new housing, focusing on ten initiatives aimed at increasing housing in the Township’s urban centres of Elmira, St. Jacobs, and Breslau. Through these efforts, the Township aims to address the projected growth outlined in the Region of Waterloo's Official Plan, which forecasts 51,000 residents by 2051.

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Housing Accelerator Fund Initiatives

1. Development Ready Strategy for Urban Expansion Areas (Completed): This initiative focuses on planning for the growth in Breslau, identifying infrastructure needs, and upgrading areas to make them development-ready with appropriate zoning.
2. Framework for Developing Underutilized Township Lands (In Progress): A strategy for assembling, planning, and releasing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for downtown property development, supported by pre-development studies and frameworks.
3. Comprehensive Transportation Plan (In Progress): Developing and implementing a transportation plan with an integrated mobility plan, aligning infrastructure with future housing needs.
4. Expedited Review for Affordable Housing (Completed): Establishing a streamlined review process for affordable housing projects and offering workshops to developers to facilitate quicker approvals.
5. Mixed Use Development Design Guidelines (In Progress): Creating design guidelines to support mixed-use developments, beginning with a Request for Proposal, retaining a consultant, and finalizing the guidelines.
6. Accessory Residential Units (Completed): Simplifying the application process for accessory dwelling units with clear instructions and zoning flexibility to increase housing options.
7. Rental Housing Incentive (In Progress): Promoting rental housing through fee amendments, program promotion, and streamlining the building permit process for rental developments.
8. Fast Tracking Municipal Lands for Housing (In Progress): Streamlining approvals and governance for the development of affordable and attainable housing on municipal lands.
9. Zoning By-law Update for Four-Unit Homes (Completed): Updating the Zoning By-law to allow up to four units by right in certain residential zones (R3 and higher).
10. Housing Needs Assessment (Completed): Conducting an assessment to understand and plan for future housing needs in the Township.