Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF)

Different Housing Types

Middlesex Centre is receiving support from the federal government through the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), a program administered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The purpose of the HAF is to help municipalities improve land use planning and development approval processes in order to increase the supply of housing more quickly and to enhance the approvals and building process.

The Municipality will receive a total of $4.24 million in funding over four years, from 2025 to 2028. The first installment of $1,061,700 has already been received for 2025. Continued funding for subsequent years will depend on the Municipality’s progress in meeting the goals outlined in its Housing Action Plan. To receive the final portion of funding, Middlesex Centre must reach a target of 645 new housing units by the end of the program.

Middlesex Centre is committed to completing the initiatives in the Action Plan in a timely and effective manner. These initiatives are designed to support new housing development and improve the efficiency of the approval process. The Municipality is working in partnership with the County of Middlesex and other successful HAF municipalities to implement these initiatives in a cost-effective way. The HAF funding will cover the costs associated with implementation.

Action Plan Initiatives

Ending Exclusionary Zoning and Eliminating Restrictions

Middlesex Centre will review and amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to remove low-density zoning that limits housing variety. This includes allowing a broader range of housing types, such as affordable and social housing, and supporting mixed-use and higher-density development. The initiative will also permit up to four residential units as-of-right (permitted without special approval) in fully serviced settlement areas.

The revised framework is also aimed at reducing regulatory barriers and increasing flexibility overall, to optimize land use and minimize the need for rezonings.

Initiative Status: 

  • Preliminary information on these initiatives was presented to Council at their June 18, 2025, meeting. The draft amendments are expected to be made available for public review in September, 2025. This page will be updated when more information is available.
Increasing Process Efficiency through e-Permitting and Digital Tools

This initiative focuses on adopting new technologies to streamline development approvals. Middlesex Centre was an early adopter of e-permitting systems for development and building permit types. The municipality will continue to expand its use of e-permitting and other digital tools to modernize the approval process, improving transparency and enhancing user experience.

Initiative Status: 

Prioritizing Development Approval for Rental and Affordable Housing

Middlesex Centre will establish a dedicated review pathway to expedite approvals for non-market housing and purpose-built rental developments. This approach aims to reduce time and cost while simplifying the process for bringing these housing types to market.

Developing Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plans (CIPs) and other Grant and Incentive Programs

Middlesex Centre is amending its existing CIP to include a wider range of incentives for housing development. The focus will be on areas within existing settlement boundaries that have access to infrastructure, services, and amenities. We are also looking at additional Grant and Incentive programs to support a range of housing types including ‘missing middle’ housing, townhouses, purpose-built rentals, and innovative construction methods. These initiatives respond to housing needs identified in Middlesex County’s Attainable Housing Review and Housing Needs Assessment.

Initiative Status: 

  • At their July 2, 2025, meeting, Council approved a new grant program supporting incentives of up to 15% reduction in municipal development charges. Discounts are expected to come into force starting in September. More information will be available on our Development Charges webpage once finalized.
Designing and Implementing Guidelines for Additional Residential Units (ARUs)

To support the creation of ARUs, Middlesex Centre will develop a toolkit outlining planning and building requirements. This resource will be available on the municipal website. Middlesex Centre will also assess the feasibility of providing pre-reviewed ARU designs to simplify the permitting process.

 

Reports and Studies

Reports to Middlesex Centre Council

Middlesex County Reports

 

Related Links

 

For More Information

  • If you’d like to be added to the mailing list to receive notifications on the upcoming Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Amendments relating to the HAF initiatives, including ARUs, send your name and email address to Planning Services.
  • For questions regarding Middlesex Centre's HAF initiatives, contact Stephanie Bergman, Manager of Planning & Development.