Whereas the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) is proposing a province-wide Heritage Building Grant for Housing entitled the Heritage Helping Housing Grant Program (HHHGP); and
Whereas the ACO recommends that the Province create a new, application-based, matching grant program of $10 million/year to generate new housing in existing heritage assets, whether designated or not; and
Whereas the HHHGP would support Ontario’s housing objectives while advancing the ACO’s strategic goal to Keep | Fix | Reuse our heritage assets; and
Whereas the HHHGP would incentivize owners to revitalize vacant or underutilized heritage buildings which:
• Creates new housing in existing buildings increasing the number of dwelling units;
• Reuses existing structures minimizing the need for new infrastructure;
• Rehabilitates older buildings making changes generally less expensive, uses local resources and creates local jobs;
• Keeps older buildings helping a community enrich certain neighbourhoods visually and through new residents while enhancing their identity and growing its tourism brand and appeal;
• Is a simpler and more direct way for heritage building owners to fund renovations or conservation;
• Can be an alternative to the Ontario heritage property tax relief program, which has limited impact on developers though reduces municipal revenues;
• Reduces carbon emissions in comparison to the demolishment of the buildings and some new construction;
• Offers an incentive for owners to work with municipalities to have historic places recognized under the Ontario Heritage Act; and,
• Supports a partnership between many parties, based on a simple application modelled after the Alberta program, providing half the grant upfront making the grant program popular with developers and owners.
Now therefore be it resolved;
That the Heritage Burlington Advisory Committee recommends the City of Burlington endorse the proposal by the Architectural Conservancy Ontario (ACO) for a $10 million/year matching Heritage Helping Housing Grant Program and that the Mayor send a letter to Doug Ford, Premier; Graham McGregor, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism; Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance and Natalie Pierre, MPP Burlington, to urge that funding for the program be included in the 2026 provincial budget and annually thereafter; and,
That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and Big City Mayors