Affordable Housing Development Project Stream

Housing

• Does the project and its prioritized population align with efforts to end chronic homelessness, encampments, and coordinates access priorities in the City of Hamilton?
• What is the cost from the current project status to shovel-ready?
• What is the number of households that will be taken from a city recognized waitlist for tenancies in the new development?
  • And please specify the waitlist impacted.
• What is the current walk score to amenities (schools, grocery stores, bus stops, parks, etc.) for this project?
• How does the percentage of energy reduction compare to the standard baseline, as specified in the National Energy Code?)
• How does the percentage of Greenhouse Gas reduction compare to the standard baseline, as specified in the National Energy Code?

Project

• Does this project comply with the City of Hamilton Official Plan?
  • Do the project documents clearly demonstrate the project’s readiness to advance?
• Does the project comply with all applicable zoning By-law requirements?
  • Do the project documents clearly demonstrate the project’s readiness to advance?
• Does the project documentation verify that the project has final site plan approval (if required)?
• Does the project documentation verify that the building permit is close to ready but has not yet been obtained?
• What stage is the project funding application or request process currently in?
• What is the percentage of AODA-compliant units within the project plan?

General

• Has your organization maintained a solid financial standing for the past three consecutive years?

To qualify for funding, applicatons must meet a minimum benchmark of 75%

Alignment with City Priorities - 20%

• Alignment with the Housing Sustainability & Investment Roadmap (HSIR), the Housing and Homelessness Action Plan (HHAP), and the 2022 – 2026 City Council Priorities.
  • The proposed project aligns with the HSIR and HHAP goals of achieving targets for housing supply, affordability, supports equality and equity for all Hamiltonians and ensures everyone in Hamilton has a home.
  • The proposed project addresses the needs and challenges identified in the community effectively as outlined in the HSIR, HHAP, and the 2022 – 2026 Council Priorities.
• Target Populations
  • The proposed project clearly identifies one or more target populations that it will impact. These target populations include Indigenous, Family, Men, Women, Seniors, and Youth.
  • The proposed project provides a clear plan demonstrating how it will directly impact the target populations.
  • The proposed project clearly identifies the number of households that will be taken from a recognized waitlist for tenancies.

Project Criteria - 35%

• Alignment with the Official Plan of the City of Hamilton and adhere to all relevant By-laws.
• The proposed project plan clearly states what stage the application or request process is in with the Planning Department.
• The proposed project documents clearly demonstrate the project’s readiness to advance through permit approvals.
• The proposed project plan clearly demonstrates a comprehensive and effective effort to improve accessibility measures.

Funding Outline Criteria - 35%

• Budget
  • The proposed project has received Capital funding or a commitment of funding from other orders of Government.
  • The proposed project has received Operating funding or a commitment of funding from other orders of Government.
  • The proposed project has secured funding from other sources.
  • The proposed project has received Municipal support in waived fees or obtained Municipal Grants.
  • The proposed project clearly identifies how much funding is required for the viability of the project.
  • The proposed project clearly identifies a plan to obtain the required funding for the viability of the project.
• Sustainability
  • A detailed Sustainability Plan is presented, including diverse strategies and resources to ensure continued success.
  • The proposed plan provides a clear and comprehensive description of how the project has strong potential to operate and achieve its goals beyond the Municipal funding contribution.

Project Implementation & Management - 10%

• Organizations Capacity
  • The respondent provides a clear and comprehensive explanation of their ability and readiness to carry out and oversee the proposed project.
  • There is a description of the resources, skills, expertise, and infrastructure in place to ensure efficient and effective project execution.
• Feasibility Considerations
  • The application provides a clear and comprehensive explanation of the practical considerations made by the respondent to ensure that the project can be implemented within the specified timeline.
  • The proposed project includes a detailed and clear description of the steps taken or plans made by the respondent to ensure the project’s timely execution according to the proposed plan’s document.

• Is the proponent a Non-Profit, Charitable, and/or have Indigenous organization status (including Non-Profit housing Co-operatives) with an existing agreement with the City of Hamilton’s Housing Services Division? Or is the proponent a tenant-led acquisition or co-op conversion? 
• A Non-Profit is defined as an organization, where no part of its income is payable to, or otherwise available for, the personal benefit of a member or shareholder thereof.
• Does the proponent intent to own and operate the housing units that are to be acquired.   
• Does the proponent have the financial capability to contribute a minimum of 10% of the purchase price?
• Does the proponent have demonstrated experience of acquiring and operating affordable rental housing?
• Does the organization have demonstrated capacity to manage real estate financial portfolios for multiple properties as well as a robust property management plan?  
• Is this application for an existing rental building being sold?     
• Is the rent range of the units to be acquired below 125% average market rents? 
• Will rents of existing tenants increase annually by no more than the province’s annual rent guideline increase? 
• Will the rents be maintained below 125% average market rent for a minimum of 99 years?
• Based on the proposed rents, will the proponent be able to meet all operating costs and contribute to capital reserves? Regardless of whether the rent increase guideline under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 or any successor legislation applies to the Project, the rent increase guideline shall apply under the Program.

Successful proponents must score a minimum of 75 points to qualify, and all awards will be based on available funding.