The City of Windsor has decided to join others in the region in applying for funding to create housing infrastructure.
In a special meeting on Wednesday morning, Windsor City Council voted unanimously to submit applications to the government for funds designed to create housing opportunities.
The applications will be made through the Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP), along with the Trade Diversification Corridors Fund (TDCF), and the Build Communities Strong Fund.
Windsor has offered to reduce development charges (DCs) by 70 per cent pending government approval of the applications. A maximum of 90 per cent of any cost would be covered by the province.
Up to five projects may be included on each application. Mayor Drew Dilkens said they looked at projects that have already been signed off on.
"It's a rejigging of the capital plan to ensure that we're still delivering on the projects that Council approved, but prioritizing the projects that will help us unlock more housing and get us a 90 per cent return," said Dilkens.
Janice Guthrie, the City's Finance Director and Treasurer, said the administration had to look extra hard when selecting projects that would be supported by a successful application.
"When we took a look at DC-related growth projects, not all of them targeted unlocking housing," said Guthrie. "So we had to be very selective, which is why we split the projects into the various categories."
Guthrie said that the City included a pledge in the applications to contribute more than the ten per cent minimum required.
The mayor also added during the meeting that due to the highly competitive nature of the application process, a 70 per cent DC reduction may place the City's request at the "top of the heap".
The deadline to apply is Friday.
Essex, Lakeshore, and LaSalle have all agreed to reduce DCs pending the approval of their applications. Amherstburg opted this week not to.
