Community Housing Grant increases to $30.2 million

December 22, 2025
Funds awarded to non-profit and co-operative housing organizations ready to build new community housing

Newmarket – The Regional Municipality of York has more than doubled its funding from $14.5 million to $30.2 million to support non-profit and co-operative housing organizations across York Region.

“York Region is committed to building inclusive, sustainable communities by expanding housing options and supporting partners through initiatives like the Community Housing Supply Grant,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Eric Jolliffe. “Building on the success of this pilot program, York Region will make it permanent in 2026. These efforts are helping to create a more resilient future for all residents by providing housing solutions for individuals of all abilities, incomes and life stages.”

The Community Housing Supply Grant provides capital funding to non-profit and co-operative organizations to create affordable housing through new construction, redevelopment or conversion of non-residential buildings.

A call for applications for the grant was issued in May 2025. Five successful projects, representing 536 units, with 288 units below market-rent, include:

“Increasing affordable housing in York Region requires shared commitment, and the Region is leading the way through innovative, locally driven solutions and strong partnerships,” said Town of Newmarket Mayor John Taylor, Chair of the Region’s Housing and Homelessness Committee. “We know we can’t do this on our own, however, supporting organizations with common goals can help advance these important projects to provide more affordable housing in all of our communities.”

The Community Housing Supply Grant was initially piloted in 2023 and extended through 2025 to expand community housing availability. In 2024, two projects totalling approximately $10.2 million were funded through the program:

  • Blue Door in the Town of Newmarket was awarded $3.6 million; project began construction in 2025 and will include 14 stacked townhouses, four emergency and transitional housing units and 10 affordable housing units
  • Richmond Hill Ecumenical Homes Corporation in the City of Richmond Hill was awarded $6.6 million; proposed intensification will add 90 new housing units, 37 of which will be affordable housing units, 28 of those funded by the Community Housing Supply Grant

“Affordable housing is the foundation of thriving communities,” said City of Richmond Hill Mayor David West, Vice-Chair of the Region’s Housing and Homelessness Committee. “This grant is supporting organizations that are creating a safe place residents can call home, where they can be supported in communities they love.”

Given the success of the project, the Community Housing Supply Grant will become a permanent, ongoing program in 2026, ensuring sustained support for non-profit and co-operative partners to build more affordable housing across York Region.

Projects funded through the program must include at least 10 new affordable units, or a minimum of 5 units when an addition is undertaken, with rents at or below 100% of average market rent and remain affordable for a minimum of 20 years. Eligible proponents must also meet the Region’s evaluation criteria, which consists of the following key sections:

  • Project details
  • Development and operational qualifications
  • Corporate viability
  • Financial information and plans
  • Project timeline and development schedule

“Trinity Coptic Foundation is deeply grateful to York Region for awarding us the Community Housing Supply Grant 2025. This vital support empowers us to advance our shared commitment to rapidly expanding affordable rental housing by enabling us to build new units, ensure long-term affordability and uplift vulnerable populations. We are honoured to partner in a mandate that aligns with broader national goals to strengthen housing supply and address the pressing housing crisis, and we remain fully committed to delivering on this mission with integrity, diligence and compassion.”

Fr. Pishoy Salama, Trinity Coptic Foundation

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and Management of Crescent Village Seniors Housing Corporation, we would like to thank York Region’s 2025 investment into the community housing for awarding this grant to build eight additional units for seniors in Richmond Hill. This is a continuation of the wonderful partnership we have had with York Region for many years, and we are grateful and very excited to embark on this project to aid those that need our help the most.”

Hamida Merchant, Property Manager, Crescent Village Seniors Housing Corporation

“MICAH is grateful for the Region's support of our core belief that 'Affordable Housing Changes Lives'. This generous contribution to our building of 161 new units of deeply affordable housing will help The Markham Inter-Church Committee For Affordable Housing (MICAH) advance our core belief. Thank you.”

Mike Clare, President, Markham Inter-Church Committee for Affordable Housing

“We are honoured to receive York Region’s support through the Community Housing Supply Grant. This investment strengthens our ability to provide safe housing for women and children escaping violence and creates vital pathways to affordable housing as they move beyond the shelter environment. It is a critical step toward helping families rebuild their lives with dignity and stability.”

Johanne Miceli, Chair, Board of Directors, Sandgate Women’s Shelter of York Region

“We are deeply grateful to York Region for selecting the Islamic Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat of Toronto (ISIJ), through the Jaffari Village Graceful Residences project, as a recipient of the 2025 Community Housing Supply Grant. This investment strengthens our shared commitment to supporting seniors in our community by providing housing that is safe, dignified and connected to their cultural and spiritual needs. We appreciate York Region’s continued leadership and look forward to working together to bring this meaningful project to life for the benefit of our seniors and the broader community.”

Muntazir Jaffer, Director Operations, Islamic Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat of Toronto

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to 1.29 million residents and 57,000 businesses with approximately 624,000 employees. More information about York Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/RegionalServices

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Media Contact:

Tricia Wretham, Program Manager Community and Health Services,
The Regional Municipality of York
Phone: 289-231-1732
Email: @email