Funding rewards municipalities for progress toward housing starts
PICKERING — The Ontario government is awarding the City of Pickering $4,410,987 through the third round of the Building Faster Fund, which provides funding to municipalities that achieve at least 80 per cent of their provincially designated housing targets. In 2025, Pickering broke ground on 1,477 new homes, exceeding its annual target by 14 per cent. The funding will help the City of Pickering build more homes and community infrastructure while advancing the province’s plan to protect Ontario by investing in projects that support economic growth and keep workers on the job.
“In the face of economic uncertainty, our government is doing everything we can to lower costs for families, keep workers on the job and get shovels in the ground faster on new homes by cutting taxes and red tape,” said Premier Doug Ford. “From providing an HST rebate of up to $130,000 on new homes to investing $8.8 billion dollars in housing-enabling infrastructure, we will continue to work with our federal and municipal partners to help families in Pickering and across the province realize the dream of homeownership.”
Announced in August 2023, the Building Faster Fund is a three-year, up to $1.2 billion program that helps municipalities build more homes faster. The fund rewards municipalities that make significant progress toward their housing targets by providing funding for the infrastructure needed to support new housing and growing communities.
“As one of Ontario’s fastest-growing cities, Pickering is proud to continue answering the call by increasing housing supply and creating more options for residents at every stage of life,” said Kevin Ashe, Mayor of Pickering. “With strong momentum in new home construction and a continued focus on building complete communities, we are helping to meet demand for new housing while supporting a high quality of life for our residents. We thank the Ontario government for its ongoing partnership through the Building Faster Fund, which is helping us invest in the infrastructure needed to support our growing community and ensure Pickering remains a vibrant, inclusive and welcoming place to call home.”
The Ontario government is also helping to speed up the construction of new homes and infrastructure by streamlining development processes and reducing unnecessary costs, most recently through the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026 and the HST Relief Implementation Act (Residential Property Rebates), 2026.
“Across Ontario, there is a need for more homes across the continuum,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “That is why our government is working tirelessly through legislation and related measures to reduce the time and cost of building.”
In March 2026, the Government of Canada and the province of Ontario signed the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build. It will deliver a total of $8.8 billion over 10 years for housing-enabling and transit infrastructure projects, with funding prioritized for municipalities that reduce and maintain reductions on development charges. The agreement also supports the removal of the HST on new homes from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, which will save homebuyers up to $130,000 off the cost of a new home and is supporting builders as they get shovels in the ground on new homes and keep workers on the job.
“This $4.4 million investment through the Building Faster Fund recognizes the City of Pickering’s leadership in getting homes built and keeping projects moving,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering—Uxbridge. “By supporting essential infrastructure, we are increasing housing supply, improving affordability and helping bring the dream of homeownership back within reach — while supporting local jobs and long-term growth.”
Quick Facts
- From January to March 2026, Ontario saw 13,743 total housing starts, an increase of 24.3 per cent compared to the same period in 2025.
- From January to March 2026, Ontario saw 6,439 rentals starts, an increase of 68.2 per cent compared to the same period in 2025. This is a record for rentals starts for this time of year.
- To help make way for more housing opportunities and support growing communities, the government is also giving municipalities more time to spend funds awarded through the Building Faster Fund, extending the deadline to 2028.
Additional Resources
Ontario Launches Building Faster Fund and Expands Strong Mayor Powers