Below are summaries of Kitchener's Housing Initiatives
​
Development Incentives For Affordable Housing
​Community Improvement Project
Growing Together
Inclusionary Zoning
Enabling 4 Units
​Adding Up To 2 Additional Units For A Total Of 3
​Building Kitchener Together
Not For Profit Affordable & Co-op Housing Incentive Pilot
Rental Replacement Bylaw
Development Incentives For Affordable Housing
Approved in 2017, this was part of the City’s first financial incentives for affordable rental housing. It exempts not-for-profits from paying certain planning application and building permit fees. A Minimum of 20% of the dwelling units must have rents less than 80% of average market rent for the dwelling unit type.

​Read The Staff Report HERE

On March 30, 2026 staff presented an update to council on the positives effects this program has delivered. 
Results of Policy (2017-2025)
• 24 housing projects have qualified for fee waiver
• 1,100 affordable units (completed, under construction, and in application review stage)
​• $900,000 in application fees waived
See the presentation HERE
Community Improvement Project
The City of Kitchener is making it easier for homeowners to add Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) like basement apartments, backyard homes, or extra suites by covering 100% of development charges (DCs) for education for a first and second ADU. For a third ADU there are 2 options The City pays 50% of all fees (City, Region, and education) or option 2, The City pays 100% of all fees if your unit includes one of these: An affordable rental unit (kept affordable for 5 years) Energy-efficient upgrades (like solar panels, heat pumps, or triple-pane windows), or it's a barrier-free unit (accessible for people with mobility challenges)

Also part of the Community Improvement Project is a Missing Middle Affordable Housing Grant. These grants offer up to $25,000 per affordable unit, with a maximum of $500,000 per project. They're available for 5–8 storey apartment buildings or mixed-use developments with both housing and other uses like shops or offices where
affordable stay affordable for 25 years or more. ​This grant helps builders and non-profits include more affordable homes in mid-sized buildings, especially for families and residents who need them most.

See The Staff Presentation HERE

Read The Full Report HERE

Growing Together
KITCHENER'S PLANNING FRAMEWORK AROUND MAJOR TRANSIT STATION AREAS
On Monday March 18, 2024 Council Unanimously Passed Growing Together & The Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw. You can read the news release HERE. Our Growing Together Plan will make more than 100,000 new homes in all shapes and sizes possible including as many as 4,500 affordable units through Inclusionary Zoning, and 20,000 or more new "Missing Middle" style homes. Missing Middle housing is housing that's between a single family home and mid to high rise apartments like units in duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes, bungalow courts, townhouses and courtyard apartments. It also allows for small and home businesses in residential areas.

​Growing Together  was created  through thousands of hours of work from our Planning Team that included award winning in person and online engagement with residents, the community & the development industry, It will bring more housing and housing options.
See the summary of the Growing Together process which began in March 2023 HERE.   

Read The Growing Together Plan HERE

See the March 18, 2024 Council Agenda & Reports For Growing Together & Watch The Meeting HERE​

Read The Growing Together Report To Council HERE
Inclusionary Zoning To Support Affordable Housing
BRINGING AFFORDABLE UNITS TO NEW BUILDS IN OUR MAJOR TRANSIT STATION AREAS
At the Dec. 15, 2025 Council Meeting, Council also passed the Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw that will see Developers set aside provide a percentage of affordable units in new multi-unit buildings.  This is a small but important tool in creating affordable housing..
See the summary of the Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw Process that began in December of 22 HERE
​
Read The Inclusionary Zoning Report To Council HERE

Enabling 4 Units
On March 25, 2024 Council approved the Enabling 4 Units Bylaw. This would increase housing units by allowing up to 4 housing units on property where zoning  permits single detached, semi-detached or street townhouse dwelling units on sufficient lot sizes.  4 units won't be possible on every residential lot in Kitchener. There would be around 41,450 or 68% of lots that it applies to.  There are rules a regulations that must be met.
See the Enabling 4 Units Report HERE
Adding Up to 2 Additional Units For A Total Of 3 Units
In April of 2021 Council approved the ability to add up to 2 additional housing units on a residential property for a total of 3 units.  These units could be a detached accessory Unit also known as a Tiny Home, and or by duplexing the main building to add a secondary suite, basement apartment or in-law suite.
​You can see the regulations for adding additional units HERE
Building Kitchener Together
Working together with the Federal and Provincial Governments, we're delivering on achieving our mutual housing goals. With their much appreciated funding adding to ours, we have a group of initiatives to increase our housing supply of deeply affordable, moderately affordable, supportive, missing middle and market rate housing.
Learn about Building Kitchener Together HERE
Not For Profit Affordable & Co-op Housing Incentive Pilot
At The Community and Infrastructure Services Committee Meeting of April 22, Council approved this pilot program that will allocate funds to incentivize the building of not for profit and affordable housing units. It will provide $10,000 per unit for up to 520 Units. This upfront funding will help some not-for-profit affordable housing projects and help advance projects to a state that positions them for other critical capital funding.  
Read the Staff Report HERE
Rental Replacement Bylaw
On March 17, 2024 Council unanimously passed the Rental Replacement Bylaw. This provides those who are currently paying affordable rates in a building with 6 or more units that will be replaced by a another building some compensation options for their next place of residence. The options are:
When a Planning Act application proposes to demolish or convert an eligible residential rental building, the proposed Rental Replacement By-law includes three options for compensation:
  • Temporary Offsite Replacement Unit: A comparable rental unit rented at the same price as their existing unit until construction of the new unit is complete at which point the tenant is given first right of replacement to occupy a new unit.
  • Rent Waiver: The option of remaining in their unit for 12 months rent-free with the obligation to vacate thereafter. Additionally, the developer will be required to provide a unit in the new building at affordable rents for a period of 10 years.
  • ​Cash Payout: The option of receiving the cash equivalent of 10 months of rent and an agreement to vacate the property in two months. Additionally, the developer will be required to provide a unit in the new building at affordable rents for a period of 10 years.
Planning Staff will provide a report on this Bylaw in June 2025 reviewing the impacts of this Bylaw thus far and then update on any renovictions Bylaws in Ontario.
Read The Full Rental Replacement Bylaw HERE
Kitchener's Development and Construction Department can be found HERE