Pre-Development Support Program
Supporting Affordable Housing Projects from Concept to Construction Readiness
The Pre-Development Support Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible non-profit and co-operative housing providers to support affordable housing projects in their early stages – an essential phase that is often the most difficult to fund.
Program Purpose
Projects can face challenges securing resources for key pre-development activities such as feasibility studies, due diligence, planning work and technical assessments. This program helps address those gaps by funding the foundational work needed to move projects from concept to construction readiness.
Funding is awarded through a competitive application process, with priority given to proposals that demonstrate strong potential to deliver new affordable or supportive housing in York Region.
By supporting early-stage development, the program helps strengthen the pipeline of viable projects and contributes to the timely delivery of much-needed housing in the community.
Submit Your Application
Applications are now open.
Submit your application and provide the required information, as per the Program Guidelines.
Submit your Pre-Development Support Grant Program Application
Program Objectives
The Pre-Development Support Program aims to:
- Advance affordable and supportive housing projects toward construction readiness
- Support the development of new affordable and supportive housing supply across York Region
- Increase the capacity of non-profit and co-operative housing providers to undertake housing development projects
- Encourage projects that align with Regional housing priorities and identified housing needs
- Position projects to access future capital funding and development opportunities
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- Non-profit housing providers
- Housing co-operatives
- Supportive housing providers
- Charitable organizations developing affordable housing
- Other eligible housing proponents, such as faith-based groups, Indigenous and community organizations
Applicants must demonstrate the organizational, financial and development capacity necessary to successfully deliver the proposed work.
Funding may be used to support eligible pre-development activities that help advance affordable housing projects toward construction readiness.
Examples of eligible activities may include:
- Feasibility studies and business case development
- Planning and development studies
- Site investigations and due diligence activities
- Architectural and engineering services
- Environmental assessments
- Legal and consulting services related to project development
- Financial analysis and project planning
- Other eligible activities identified in the Program Guidelines
Please refer to the Program Guidelines for a complete list of eligible and ineligible expenses.
Application Evaluation Process
Funding requests will be assessed through a competitive evaluation process.
Applications will be evaluated based on factors including:
- Project readiness
- Anticipated affordability outcomes
- Organizational capacity and experience
- Alignment with Regional housing priorities
- Potential to advance new affordable housing supply
- Overall project viability and impact
Submission of an application does not guarantee funding.
Program Administration
York Region's role in administering the Pre-Development Support Program is limited to:
- Receiving and reviewing funding applications
- Evaluating applications in accordance with the Program Guidelines
- Awarding funding to successful applicants
- Monitoring the use of funds to confirm compliance with the Funding Agreement
Recipients will be required to enter into a Funding Agreement and provide reporting information as outlined in Program Requirements.
Program Guidelines and Resources
Please review the Program Guidelines for all eligibility requirements, funding limits and key dates for application submission.
