Kingston gets $3.2 million for exceeding provincial housing targets

Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Rob Flack made a presentation to the City last Thursday.

The province cut the City of Kingston a big cheque for their effort in helping to accelerate residential development.

Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Rob Flack was in the Limestone City on Thursday to meet with Mayor Bryan Paterson and Council.

In a presentation at City Hall, Flack joined Kingston and the Islands MPP Ted Hsu and Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston MPP John Jordan in announcing that Kingston is receiving $3.2 million from the Building Faster Fund.

Flack says the City was able to exceed its housing targets in 2024.

Paterson says the money from the province re-enforces the City's commitment to open up more space for housing development.

Councillor and current Deputy Mayor Vincent Cinanni says this funding will help the City as they look to continue delivering services without putting further burden on the taxpayer.

The Building Faster Fund was established by the Ford government in 2023 that was designed to encourage municipalities in speeding up the municipal approval process thus getting more homes built faster.

It pledge to contribute $1.2 billion over three years.

It came at a time when the number of available long-term rental units in Ontario was low and rental prices for vacant ones were at an all-time high.

Rental prices have since come down but it is remains out of reach for those looking for a place to live.

Flack says the government is doing their best to ensure people can afford to buy a home despite a tough economic climate.

With the recent announcement of a new hospital in the Clogg's Road Business Park, that leaves the City with few spots available to build these homes.

Paterson says they are looking at ways to open up more space for residential development.

Last year, the City also received $3.2 million for meeting their 2023 housing targets.

Story by Ken Hashizume