Town of Erin applying for federal-provincial development charge reimbursement program
ERIN – The Town of Erin is taking steps towards stimulating the local economy and reducing housing costs by applying to the Ontario Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP), officials say.
The program is a federal and provincial initiative which aims to reduce development charges across Ontario municipalities, through the $8.8 billion Canada-Ontario partnership to build.
This program offers funding for municipalities who reduce development charges by at least 30 to 50% for the next three years, covering up to 90 per cent of forgone development charges.
Qualifying projects must enable the construction of new homes, with road, water, wastewater and transit investments being prioritized.
On June 16, Erin council voted to direct staff to apply to the DCRP, proposing a 50 per cent reduction in development charges.
Council also voted to send correspondence to the Premier, Prime Minister, local MPs and MPPs to open a collaborative dialogue on refining the DCRP.
There are several future infrastructure projects that may qualify for the program, including road, water and fire department investments.
“The Town of Erin is well aligned to participate in the Ontario Development Charge Reduction Program because the community has already built significant infrastructure in preparation for growth,” said Erin Mayor Michael Dehn in a news release.
“This program has the potential to stimulate our local housing market, providing economic spinoffs that benefit Erin’s economy.”
Qualifying projects must begin no later than July 31, 2030, and must finish by Oct. 31, 2035. Should the town be successful in its application, council would then be asked to vote on entering the program later this summer.
