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The Township of Woolwich is committed to supporting a full range of housing options to meet current and future community needs. As our community continues to grow, ensuring that residents of all ages, incomes, and stages of life can find suitable and attainable housing remains a key priority.
What is Affordable Housing and Why Does It Matter?
In Canada, housing is generally considered affordable when it costs less than 30 per cent of a household’s before-tax income. Affordable housing is often thought of as only government-subsidized rental housing. However, the term is much broader and includes housing provided by the private, public, and non-profit sectors. It also includes all forms of housing tenure, such as rental, ownership, and co-operative housing, as well as both temporary and permanent housing.
When households spend more than 30 per cent of their income on housing, they face a higher risk of housing instability, particularly if unexpected financial or health challenges arise. In growing communities such as the Region of Waterloo and the Township of Woolwich, rising rents and home prices have increased the number of households struggling with housing costs.
The Housing Affordability Continuum
Housing affordability exists on a continuum, rather than as a single category. What is affordable depends on a household’s income, household size, and local market conditions.
Households with incomes well below the area median often require subsidized or deeply affordable housing, such as rent-geared-to-income or supportive housing, as even lower market rents may be unaffordable.
Housing at this level is priced so households spend 30 percent or less of their income on housing. In Ontario, many affordable housing programs are designed to serve these income groups.
Some housing is priced below average market rates but is not subsidized. This housing can support moderate-income households who may not qualify for subsidized programs but still face affordability challenges in the private market.
What Do We Mean by Affordable Housing in Woolwich?
The Province of Ontario publishes the Affordable Residential Units for the Purposes of the Development Charges Act, 1997 Bulletin, which sets affordable housing benchmarks for Woolwich for both home ownership and rental units. These benchmarks are updated annually. The table below outlines the current benchmarks by dwelling type and unit size:
Affordable Housing Benchmarks for 2026 (Ownership) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
| Unit type |
Affordable housing benchmark (market-based) |
| Single-detached | $523,800 |
| Semi-detached | $523,800 |
| Townhouse | $523,800 |
| Apartment | $459,000 |
Affordable Housing Benchmarks for 2026 (Rental)
| Unit type | Affordable housing benchmark (market-based) |
| Bachelor | $1,261 |
| 1-bedroom | $1,438 |
| 1-bedroom | $1,597 |
| 3+ bedroom | $1,980 |
Township Initiatives and Progress
The Township is advancing a number of initiatives to increase housing supply and support affordable housing in the community. Many of these initiatives were developed through the Township’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Action Plan, a federal program that supports municipalities in removing barriers to building housing and fast-tracking the creation of new homes. The initiatives below build on this work and will continue to guide the Township’s approach to housing.
The Housing Needs Assessment examines Woolwich’s current and future housing demands, identifying gaps in availability, affordability, and diversity. This study, completed in 2024, will inform policies to create a more inclusive, accessible housing environment to meet community needs.
The Housing Needs Assessment is scheduled for review in 2029 to ensure it continues to reflect changing housing needs in the community.
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The Affordable Housing Framework provides guidelines and strategies to support the development of affordable housing. It outlines goals, policies, and actions to streamline processes, offer incentives, and collaborate with developers to increase affordable housing options.
Affordable Housing and Reserve Fund Policy
The Affordable Housing and Reserve Fund Policy supports the creation and preservation of affordable housing in Woolwich. The Policy introduces a voluntary program that encourages the development community to contribute to meeting local housing needs.
Voluntary Contribution Program
Under the Policy, development proponents may choose to:
Participation is entirely voluntary and does not influence the review of or decision on a planning application.Â
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The Rental Housing Incentive Program supports the creation of over 800 new rental units, including affordable options, by lowering costs for developers. Eligible projects must be located on fully serviced properties, include a minimum of eleven rental units, and meet the program criteria.
Strategic Partnerships and Community Projects
The Township of Woolwich acquired 22 Church Street West and plans to pair it with the municipal parking lot at 3 Maple Street in downtown Elmira to advance housing and economic development goals. Once developed, this project will support the Township’s long-term goal of creating sustainable, walkable neighbourhoods that bring more residents, housing, and activity into the downtown core.
Planning Department
24 Church Street West
P.O. Box 158
Elmira ON, N3B 2Z6
519-669-6040
Email
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