Housing Accelerator Fund

The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) helps communities quickly increase their housing supply to make buying and renting more affordable. In January 2024, the Government of Canada awarded the City of Kingston $27.6 million in HAF funding. Kingston’s HAF Action Plan commits to nine local initiatives to eliminate barriers to building the housing we need, faster. The agreement under the Housing Accelerator Fund will help us fast track 890 new housing units over the three years of the program.  

The Housing Accelerator Fund can be used in four categories: 

• HAF action plan implementation
• Affordable housing
• Housing-related infrastructure
• Community-related infrastructure that supports housing  

To date, we have primarily used and committed our HAF funding allocation to support:  

• The implementation of Kingston’s HAF Action Plan initiatives, including its Rental Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP) program and the Additional Residential Unit (ARU) incentive program.
• The creation of affordable housing, including the Kingston Youth Services hub at 484 Albert St.
• Investments in four housing-related infrastructure projects, including combined sewer separation and storm water management initiatives.
• Investment in the new west end Fire and Rescue and Paramedic Station at 495 Taylor Kidd Blvd.   

Each year, we report back on our progress in reaching our housing targets and completing our HAF initiatives. Review the 2024 HAF action plan summary.

About the Housing Accelerator Fund 

To address the national housing crisis, the Government of Canada introduced a housing accelerator fund in the 2022 federal budget. The $4 billion fund launched in March 2023 and is being delivered by CMHC on behalf of the Government of Canada. 

Kingston’s housing supply targets 

In May 2023, Council approved Kingston’s Strategic Plan for 2023 – 2026 with five themed pillars. One of the key pillars is Support Housing Affordability to increase the overall housing supply at all types and price points. Council approved a target of 4,800 new units, of which 10 per cent are affordable or supportive housing.