Applications Now Open for Incentives on New Housing Projects

City residents and developers interested in accessing grants for the construction of new housing units can now apply online.

The City of Thunder Bay announced on Tuesday that applications for funding under the Housing Community Improvement Plan are now open on the city’s website.

Supported by the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund, the city has been allocated $20 million to develop over 600 new housing units over the next three years.

“Thunder Bay is growing, and we need more housing and greater density to support that growth and improve affordability,” said Mayor Ken Boshcoff.

Grants are available for adding dwelling units to existing residential or mixed-use buildings, as well as for constructing new multi-unit buildings.

For units added to existing structures, funding is available for up to $20,000 per unit, with an additional $10,000 possible through a servicing grant for upgrading water and sewer connections.

Applications for this grant will be accepted on a rolling basis as long as funding is available.

For new high-density multi-unit projects, grants are capped at $25,000 per unit (for projects exceeding 70% of the zone’s density threshold) and $300,000 per property. The deadline to apply for this grant is Oct. 27.

The city also stated that property owners who applied for building permits after Feb. 29, 2024, are eligible to apply for either program.

Additionally, a grant of up to $10,000 is available to cover fees for planning applications or building permits.