Launched in March 2023, the $4.4 billion Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is on track to expedite the construction of more than 112,000 new homes across Canada by 2028. The first round of funding totalled $4 billion, and Budget 2024 added an additional $400 million to the program. This week, the federal government announced nearly $74 million in additional funding for the 27 top-performing HAF communities.
According to update, this 10 per cent top-up for each of the successful recipients will expedite 2,219 additional housing units over the next two years.
“Our government is committed to removing barriers and cutting red tape to enable housing development, and this additional funding will help leading communities do just that,” said Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.
HAF requires action plans from local governments, unlocking funding to ensure the timely implementation of housing initiatives with subsequent payments upon delivering results. Local governments are encouraged to “think big and be bold” in their approaches, which could include accelerating project timelines, allowing increased housing density, and encouraging affordable housing units.
Communities receiving funding under these new agreements include:
| Local Government | Funding |
| Bathurst, NB | $320,000 |
| Bilijk, NB | $71,000 |
| Bow Island, AB | $160,000 |
| Bowen Island, BC | $160,000 |
| Brokenhead, MB | $64,000 |
| Calgary, AB | $22,843,000 |
| Caraquet, NB | $269,000 |
| Coquitlam, BC | $2,480,000 |
| Dawson City, YT | $118,000 |
| Edmonton, AB | $17,484,000 |
| Edmundston, NB | $415,000 |
| Gibsons, BC | $204,000 |
| Grand-Bouctouche, NB | $284,000 |
| Humboldt, SK | $226,000 |
| Iqaluit, NU | $887,000 |
| Kitchener, ON | $4,214,000 |
| London, ON | $7,391,000 |
| Moncton, NB | $1,280,000 |
| Saint John, NB | $918,000 |
| Surrey, BC | $5,100,000 |
| Sylvan Lake, AB | $540,000 |
| Thunder Bay, ON | $2,077,000 |
| Tobique First Nation, NB | $142,000 |
| Tsal’alh First Nation, BC | $142,000 |
| Tsawwassen First Nation, BC | $284,000 |
| Vancouver, BC | $4,375,000 |
| Waterloo, ON | $1,350,000 |
| Total | $73,798,000 |
