New Housing Incentive
All Niagara Region projects

Incentives in Niagara

Niagara Region provides incentive programs for affordable housing, employment and brownfield redevelopment. These are offered through the Council-approved Niagara Region Incentives Policy.

The Region uses two types of programs. Some are mandatory and required by the province. Others are optional and directed by Regional Council. These incentives support development that aligns with Council priorities and may not happen otherwise.

About the project

On Sept. 26, 2024, Council instructed staff to begin work with the cities and towns to develop a new incentive program. The program will consider current market conditions and housing mandates from the provincial and federal governments.

Council also asked staff to provide the consultation results and the new incentive program by Jan. 1, 2026.

In February 2025, staff awarded the project to N. Barry Lyon Consultants Ltd. to research, compare, analyze, design and cost a new housing incentive program that meets Council's timeline.

The new program will aim to help increase housing supply. It will also support faster delivery of new homes. The program will target housing outcomes that are not currently being met such as affordable and attainable housing and purpose-built rentals.

Project phases

Work is underway to develop the new housing incentive program. There are three phases to this work:

• Phase 1

  The consultant conducted background research to study the:

  • Current state of housing supply in Niagara
  • Cost successful housing programs in similar areas
  • Types of housing currently receiving grants through the Smarter Niagara Incentive Program and Smart Growth

  The findings are summarized in a background report. This report was presented to consultation groups and members of Regional Council at an information session on May 28, 2025.

• Phase 2

  The consultant is identifying possible program options. Using the background research, up to three potential program designs will be developed. Recent changes to the Planning Act through Bill 185 will also be considered.

  These changes affect the Region's role in local Community Improvement Plans since it is an upper-tier municipality without official plan responsibilities. The program options will be presented to all consultation groups for input.

• Phase 3

  The preferred program will be chosen. A report on this program will be presented to Council in the fall to align with the 2026 budget schedule.

Project timeline