The Town of Georgina is launching an Additional Residential Unit (ARU) Incentive Program to provide financial incentives for homeowners to create or upgrade an ARU on their property.
“Being able to offer financial incentives directly to residents is a win for our community. The program creates a broad mix of housing types including ‘missing middle’ housing within existing neighbourhoods,” said Mayor Margaret Quirk. “There are many reasons for homeowners to take advantage of this funding opportunity, such as providing an independent living space for family members or generating rental income to assist with mortgage payments and home ownership costs.”
The program to provide grants and financial incentives for ARUs applies throughout the entire Town and is designed to help remove barriers to housing development. The program is structured, yet flexible to attract meaningful housing investment while responding to local needs and development conditions.
This initiative forms part of the Town’s Housing Action Plan and was funded through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), supporting the Town’s commitment to increase the supply of missing middle rental housing in Georgina.
“Our government is committed to removing barriers and cutting red tape to enable more housing development in communities across Canada. I’m proud of our partnership with the Town of Georgina, and of the tangible difference this program will make for homeowners and renters,” said the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada.
The Town has released an Additional Residential Unit Guide which details the two incentive programs: the ARU Creation Program and the ARU Renovation Program. Homeowners can receive funding for 50 per cent of eligible project costs up to $30,000 and $15,000 respectively, subject to funding availability and eligibility guidelines.
Eligibility guidelines include that the unit must comply with the Town of Georgina Zoning Bylaws and Ontario Building Code, the principal dwelling on the property must be at least five years old, and the unit must be for the purposes of long-term housing and not for short-term rental.
Only expenses incurred after application approval are eligible for reimbursement, so interested homeowners are encouraged to schedule a pre-application meeting and begin the application process as early as possible.
To learn more about the incentive program and to access the guide and application form, visit georgina.ca/ARU.