Lakeshore Launches Housing Grant Program

This week, Lakeshore launched a new grant and incentive program to support the creation of accessible, affordable, and missing middle housing in the municipality.

“We are thrilled to offer the opportunity for grants and rebates to individual residents and developers who are building new housing that meets the needs of our communities. Together, we can create more housing that is suitable for seniors, young people, and families throughout Lakeshore.”
-Mayor Tracey Bailey.

Funds are provided as grants, rebates, or forgivable loans, depending on the type and style of housing being built. Incentives range from $2,500 to $80,000 in value per unit of housing built. Full details are available at Lakeshore.ca/HousingCIP.

The funding is being offered through Lakeshore’s Community Improvement Plan (CIP), which is a municipal program that offers financial incentives to support property improvements and the creation of new housing.

In Lakeshore, the CIP applies across the entire municipality and is intended to benefit residents, not just large developers working on major projects. Homeowners can use these incentives to add an Additional Residential Unit (ARU), sometimes called laneway homes or garden suites.

To make the process more accessible, Lakeshore is also offering pre-approved designs and straightforward guidance, helping residents to lower costs, move through approvals quicker, and add new housing while increasing the value of their homes. For larger-scale projects the CIP is intended to support and expedite the following:

• Projects that increase the supply of housing, including missing middle (e.g., semi-detached, duplex) and affordable housing.
• A reduction in application and building permit costs for higher density housing, such as small apartment buildings.
• New housing projects that include accessible and sustainable design elements.

The program is supported by Lakeshore’s Housing Accelerator Fund grant from the Government of Canada and is managed via the Lakeshore Horizons project, a collaboration between the municipality and the Centre for Cities at the University of Windsor.

“Lakeshore has seen phenomenal population growth in the last ten years. To meet the needs of seniors looking to downsize, but remain in the region, and young people looking for a starter home, we need to increase the supply of appropriate housing. The CIP allows us to incentivize the building of more housing to meet this need.”
-Kendra Fry, Lakeshore Horizons Transformation Lead.

Funds are available for projects that can be completed in the next two years. Applications will be accepted from January 19 to March 6, 2026, at which point all applications will be assessed in a competitive pool. Decisions on each application are expected within three months of the deadline.

Potential applicants are encouraged to view the Lakeshore Community Improvement Plan Guide at Lakeshore.ca/HousingCIP and to seek out a pre-consultation meeting by emailing housing@lakeshore.ca Information sessions will also be hosted for companies or individuals who are interested in applying.