As part of its commitment to regional collaboration and community-focused service delivery, the County of Middlesex is actively supporting local municipalities in advancing housing initiatives through the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). In alignment with the County’s strategic goal to strengthen collaboration with local municipalities and regional partners, this coordinated approach is intended to improve economic efficiency, enhance service delivery, and support regional development that reflects community priorities.
During the HAF application window, the County partnered with local municipalities in the preparation of HAF applications. As part of this collaborative effort, municipalities were encouraged to align their proposals with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)’s Ten Best Practices, which promote accelerating housing supply through innovative policies, streamlined approvals, and forward-looking planning strategies.
County staff worked collaboratively with local municipal staff to identify priority actions and develop Housing Action Plans that met the HAF program requirements while reflecting local housing needs and planning goals. This work drew on the findings of the County’s Attainable Housing Review to ensure applications were data-driven, locally responsive, and well-positioned for success under HAF and future housing-related funding programs.
To further strengthen both current and future housing-related funding opportunities, the County undertook a County-wide Housing Needs Assessment. This work was completed on behalf of the local municipalities to ensure housing-related strategies and initiatives are evidence-based and aligned with long-term housing needs.
To support the implementation of Housing Action Plan initiatives and advance housing-related priorities, the County, in partnership with local municipalities, retained consultants to undertake specialized work in areas such as housing policy review and regulatory reform. This work was critical not only to advancing HAF-related initiatives but also to generating resources, data, and recommendations that could be shared with local municipalities that did not receive HAF funding. By taking a coordinated approach, the County, in partnership with local municipalities, enabled the more efficient and consistent implementation of housing-supportive initiatives across the region.
This collaborative approach reflects the County’s ongoing commitment to optimizing service delivery through inter-municipal cooperation, aligning regional priorities, and implementing joint initiatives that enhance community well-being and economic growth across Middlesex County.
Links to Local HAF Webpages