The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) was created to address the housing crisis affecting the majority of Canadians. The lack of sufficient, appropriate and affordable housing has created a situation where many Canadians are struggling to find suitable housing to meet their current needs. The Municipality of Brockton applied, and was subsequently approved for, the Housing Accelerator Fund grant, which will allow for the Municipality to conduct studies, promote the area and ensure appropriate growth happens within our municipality. By increasing the housing supply and supporting the development of diverse housing options, this will ensure that the homes being built can meet the needs of the residents of our communities.
Through this fund, the Municipality of Brockton will be receiving up to $3.4 million dollars for creating 433 new housing units over the next three years.
"The Federal Government’s funding will help expand attainable housing in Brockton, supporting our growing workforce, strengthening our business community, and attracting new residents for long-term sustainability and economic growth. Council and staff remain committed to Building a Better Brockton." – Mayor Chris Peabody
Brockton Housing Initiatives
Brockton is working towards the following initiatives under the Housing Accelerator Fund. The intention of the initiatives is to promote development in a meaningful way.
Initiative One
Reducing & Eliminating Parking Standards
Initiative Two
Comprehensive Review of Development Charges and Fee Schedules
Initiative Three
Make Municipally Owned Lands Available for Priority Housing Development
Initiative Four
Zoning By-Law and Official Plan Amendments to Eliminate Density Restrictions and Introduce New Residential Development Flexibility
Initiative Five
Develop and Implement New Site Plan Control Policies and Promote Low-Rise Infill Development
Initiative Six
Develop Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan and Concierge Service to Introduce New Affordable Housing-Based Incentive Programming
What is the purpose behind these Initiatives?
For more information on the initiatives, including what we mean by them, what tasks are under them and the progress on them, click on the initiative below:
As part of Initiative One, staff have been advancing the following milestones:
What does this mean?
The new amendments have reduced the restrictions on parking on new developments and amended the requirements for parking.
As part of Initiative Two, staff have been advancing the following milestones:
What does this mean?
In order to remain competitive, the municipality should review the fees and charges, associated with Development applications and building permits, on a consistent basis. Under this initiative, the municipality will be conducting a review of the fees and charges for Development related activities.
As part of Initiative Three, staff have been advancing the following milestones:
What does this mean?
In order to maximize the capacity for the lands, the municipality is creating an inventory of lands that may be underutilized or have the possibility to be alternatively designated to make them available for priority housing developments. As such, the Municipality is reviewing the current policies related to acquisition and disposition of municipal land and considering partnership opportunities for non-profit housing providers. Part of this initiative will involve reviewing the appropriate zoning on lands to support housing, which will be considered as part of the Official Plan and Zoning By-law review.
As part of Initiative Four, staff have been advancing the following milestones:
What does this mean?
The Official Plan and Zoning By-law outline what can be done on properties, grouping most commercial or industrial purposes out of residential neighbourhoods for instance, and as part of this initiative, special consideration is being made towards increasing residential development flexibility and looking at the density restrictions, and the possible addition of additional residential units (ARU's).
As part of Initiative Five, staff have been advancing the following milestones:
What does this mean?
Part of this initiative is the development and implementation of improved Site Plan Control process and policies. Site plan control is a planning tool municipalities use to manage community development. This could include things like walkways, parking areas, landscaping or exterior design on a parcel of land where development is proposed. This is something that would be considered as part of the Official Plan and Zoning By-law, which are currently under review. Additional considerations for low rise development (developments under five stories), are also a focus under this initiative.
As part of Initiative Six, staff have been advancing the following milestones:
What does this mean?
Municipal Staff will be reviewing the Community Improvement Plan to update it based on initiatives to support housing development. Certain municipal abilities for funding opportunities are limited outside of the Community Improvement Plan areas and the review will allow for more opportunities within the Municipality in the interest of housing creation.
Documents and Plans
The Municipality of Brockton has long identified the need for more housing, especially housing that is available to support workers, young families moving to the community and promote economic growth. In order to move forward in the most effective way, staff have been working diligently on various plans and documents to help facilitate the initiatives under the Housing Accelerator Fund.
Master Servicing Plan
The Master Servicing Plan’s intent was to provide staff and council a handbook on requirements for future growth and expansion of the Town of Walkerton.
Asset Management Plan
The goal of asset management is to deliver an adequate level of service in the most cost-effective manner. This involves the development and implementation of asset management strategies and long-term financial planning.
To be presented to Council in July, 2025
Recreation Master Services and Facilities Plan
The purpose of the Plan is to guide provision of recreation services, programs, open spaces (parks, trails and water accesses) and facilities for the ten-year period of 2023 to 2033, and allow for greater cost savings, efficiencies and future opportunities.
Click here to view these plans, as well as other Brockton related Plans, Reports and Studies.
As part of the Housing Accelerator Fund, the following documents and plans are being worked on:
This assessment will be completed in three phases:
Official Plan & Zoning By-law Review
The Official Plan and Zoning By-law outline what can be done on properties, grouping most commercial or industrial purposes out of residential neighbourhoods. Part of this review is considering specific restrictions on housing units, including density, additional residential units, and other restrictions.
Click here to find out more about the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Review.
The Municipality of Brockton last updated its Community Improvement Plan (CIP) in 2022 to add incentives for business owners, and to expand the area. The CIP provides a framework to encourage the rehabilitation and repurposing of existing commercial, industrial, institutional and heritage buildings and structures, improvement of commercial signage and facades, energy efficiencies, accessibility improvements, and the redevelopment of vacant and underutilized properties and buildings, particularly for projects that address the need for more attainable housing. As such, regular reviews are carried out.
The CIP will be updated again in 2025 to support additional housing development in Brockton. This aligns with the Municipality’s successful application to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Fund. Under this fund, Brockton will receive access to $3.4 million which can be allocated towards infrastructure that supports new and existing residents, supports programs and policies to advance needed units, and increases the available supply for attainably priced units in the growing community of Brockton.
Four key action items are being pursued in the 2025 CIP update:
Community consultation will be incorporated as the CIP update progresses.
Contact Us
Municipality of Brockton
100 Scott Street, P.O. Box 68,
Walkerton, Ontario N0G 2V0, Canada
Phone: 519-881-2223,
Toll Free: 1-877-885-8084,
Fax: 519-881-2991
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