Barrie, ON – The City of Barrie has seen a substantial increase in funding from various grants, which will accelerate key infrastructure projects and support the development of new housing. This influx of financial support will enable the City to enhance services and address critical needs within the community.
“The additional grant funding we’ve received will help improve housing affordability and enhance infrastructure in Barrie,” said Mayor Alex Nuttall. “These investments support our goal of building a stronger, more inclusive community where everyone has access to affordable housing and reliable infrastructure—without placing additional financial strain on taxpayers. We appreciate the support of our provincial and federal partners.”
On March 26, City Council approved advancing and adjusting the 2025 Capital Plan based on over $53 million in funding that was received from the Province in January 2025. The funding came from the following grants:
- Housing Enabling Core Servicing (HECS) grant: $18.6 million towards two widening and reconstruction projects on Mapleview Drive East and Yonge Street.
- Housing Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF): $34.9 million towards two capital projects to construct a trunk sanitary sewer on McKay and Huronia Roads.
All four impacted capital projects are included in the 2025 capital plan and their completion dates will be advanced because of the grants. These projects will allow the City to service key housing developments and employment land. As a result of advancing the grant projects, a fifth project is no longer required, returning $1.8 million to reserves.
City Council also approved significant funding increases for the 2025 Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP). The City’s success with acquiring substantial grants from both levels of government has contributed to the 2025 Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP) programs, ensuring the continued development and enhancement of affordable housing options for Barrie residents.
Key funding allocations include:
- $340,871.34 transferred from the former Community Improvement Plan Reserve to the Housing CIP Reserve.
- Up to $5,000,000 from the second Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) payment to be allocated to the Housing CIP Reserve.
Last week the City received $6.4 million from the Federal Government’s Housing Accelerator Fund. This is the second instalment received since the Federal Government announced last year that the City of Barrie was successful in obtaining $25,684,990 over the three-year program.
In June 2024, Council adopted the Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP), allocating $10 million in funding to the new Housing CIP Reserve, and directed staff to implement a number of programs aimed at increasing housing in Barrie.
For more information on the Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP), visit www.barrie.ca/CIP. To see Barrie’s 2025 Capital Plan, visit www.barrie.ca/Budget.