Province investing over $23 million in critical infrastructure to get more than 17,500 new homes built faster

News Release

Ontario Helping Build More Homes in London

Province investing over $23 million in critical infrastructure to get more than 17,500 new homes built faster

LONDON — The Ontario government is investing more than $23 million to enable the construction of 17,576 new homes in the City of London. The funding is being delivered through the first round of investments under the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, which includes $970 million to help municipalities develop, repair, rehabilitate and expand drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.

“We’re working with our municipal partners here in London and across Ontario to get more homes built faster,” said Premier Doug Ford. “With billions of dollars in investments in housing-enabling infrastructure, our government is helping get more shovels in the ground to keep the dream of homeownership alive and help families find a home that meets their needs and their budgets.”

The City of London will use the funding to expand the capacity of wastewater infrastructure in downtown London by replacing 175 metres of sanitary sewers under the Thames River and constructing new wastewater shafts. The project will support the city’s growing population, unlock more housing opportunities and support economic growth.

“By investing in drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities and connecting pipes to land, we are helping municipalities build 511,000 new homes through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, including over 17,500 homes through this project here in London,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Building Ontario means building more homes and homes can’t be built without connections to drinking water and wastewater.”

The government is also allocating an additional $250 million and accepting a second round of applications through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, bringing the province’s total investment in the fund to $1.2 billion. Under the second intake, $120 million will be dedicated to projects in small, rural and northern municipalities without housing targets.

In this year’s budget, Ontario announced more than $1.8 billion in housing-enabling infrastructure funding through the $825 million Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund and the $1 billion Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, in addition to funding announced previously through the province’s Building Faster Fund. In response to the significant demand for investments in water and wastewater infrastructure to enable the construction of more homes and after consulting with municipalities, the province is transferring $275 million from the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program to the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund in order to meet this demand. In addition, the $120 million from the Building Faster Fund that was reserved for small, rural and northern communities is being flowed to these communities through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund.

Quick Facts
Details about the second application intake and eligibility for the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund are available at ontario.ca/watersystemsfund. The second intake will provide an additional $250 million in funding.
Ontario is also now accepting applications for funding under the $400 million Housing-Enabling Core Servicing stream of the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program to build, maintain and repair core assets such as municipal roads, bridges and culverts that will enable the construction of new homes. More information about the program and how to apply is available at ontario.ca/housinginfrastructure.
Investing in key local infrastructure through programs like the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund and the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program is part of the province’s capital plan of over $190 billion to build critical infrastructure and get more homes built faster to support growing communities and lay a strong foundation for future generations.

Quotes
“Over 40,000 new Ontarians have made London and the surrounding region home since 2021. The economic security and confidence that massive investment attraction wins like Volkswagen in St. Thomas and Maple Leaf Foods and Amazon in London have brought proves that our government’s plan to rebuild Ontario’s economy is working. This infrastructure investment will help deliver the housing the region needs while reinforcing the momentum we are enjoying and our long-term economic growth.”

• Rob Flack
  MPP, Elgin-Middlesex-London

“The province’s investment in London’s infrastructure will grant us virtually unlimited capacity for growth in the core of our city. This funding not only accelerates our ability to meet the demand for housing of all kinds but supports London’s growing population and backs continued economic development.”

• Josh Morgan
  Mayor, City of London

“We have heard loud and clear from London’s business community about the importance of affordable housing. Today’s announcement by the government of Ontario will serve to further bolster the municipality’s ability to support housing development along the continuum. As population grows, so must our economy – and that requires both long-term investment in infrastructure and long-term partnerships between all governments and all stakeholders.”

• Graham Henderson
  CEO, London Chamber of Commerce