Our Housing Development Concierge program is currently at capacity, and we are not accepting additional applications at this time. Please check back from time to time; more spots may become available as projects move through the development approvals process.
Development Concierge Programs are complimentary services that aim to improve access to housing and provide more housing options in the community, while also creating jobs for residents by helping new and existing businesses grow. The Housing Development Concierge Program assists non-profit and private-sector developers of strategic housing projects, as well as affordable rental and ownership housing, including transitional housing, and purpose-built rental housing to navigate through site selection, pre-submission due diligence, funding and incentives, partnerships and approvals processes.
Housing Development Concierge Program services include:
- Assistance with site selection and pre-purchase review or due diligence.
- Education and information regarding the development review process, timelines, technical requirements, and submission materials
- Guidance on funding and incentives available for development projects.
- Dedicated City resource to provide advice, information, and support throughout the development review process and building permit issuance.
- Elevated customer service experience for all stakeholders.
- Streamlined and time-sensitive development process facilitation to fast-track development timelines and prioritized building permit review.
- Collaboration with external agencies and City departments to streamline key projects.
- Setting clear and realistic expectations for applicants, City departments, and external agencies.
- Rapid and coordinated issue resolution through a single point of contact.
- Facilitation of connections between developers and non-profit groups to create partnerships for affordable housing provision.
- Advice and assistance with site design considerations in response to technical challenges or physical constraints.
Housing Project Eligibility
Projects that do not meet the eligibility criteria will be processed through the City’s standard development review process, in accordance with the prescribed timelines of the Planning Act and the Ontario Building Code.
The Housing Development Concierge Program uses a scorecard system to assess eligibility, with criteria and a points system. Only development projects scoring at least 70 percent on the scorecard will qualify for the program. In addition, projects that have received funding or Conditional Approval for funding through the City’s Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP) will automatically be eligible for the Concierge Program.
Generally, larger projects that will quickly deliver housing units, as well as affordable or rental housing projects will be given preference, subject to conformity with the eligibility criteria of the program. Examples of eligible project types include:
- Projects that have received funding or conditional approval for funding through the City’s Housing CIP
- Strategic housing projects that will quickly deliver a high number of units in Barrie's designated growth areas
- Affordable ownership housing
- Purpose-built rental
- Affordable rental
- Non-profit housing, including co-operative housing
- Transitional, supportive or emergency housing
Affordable units must meet the applicable affordable rent or ownership criteria established in the most current Development Services Housing Bulletin. Projects proposing deeper affordability levels (i.e., more affordable than the minimum requirements) will be given preference. Projects are encouraged to meet the minimum targets in the Official Plan (15–20% of total units, depending on location and type of development).
How to Apply
Our Housing Development Concierge program is currently at capacity, and we are not accepting additional applications at this time. Please check back from time to time; more spots may become available as projects move through the development approvals process.
When applications are being accepted, those whose project meets the eligibility criteria above complete an online application linked on this webpage, which is received by the City of Barrie’s Strategic initiatives, Policy and Analysis (SIPA) Branch of Development Services. Once the application is received, Development Services staff review the application and score it using the Housing Development Concierge scorecard, and applicants receive confirmation on whether the project is eligible within 5 business days.
Administration
Housing Development Concierge projects will be provided with a key contact from Development Services to help guide them through the various components of the development approval process. The Development Concierge Programs Process Chart outlines what to expect.
This key contact will be available to assist with inquiries, direct applicants to City of Barrie and external resources, and assist with the timely resolution of any issues that arise. Staff will issue an Endorsement Letter to eligible applicants, who will submit it with the formal development application(s). This letter can also be submitted by the applicant to external funding agencies.
Successful Housing Development Concierge applicants will be required to enter into a Letter of Understanding (LOU) agreement between the City and the owner (registered or assessed owners of lands/buildings), which will set out the terms, duration, and default provisions of the Housing Development Concierge Program. The City may discontinue concierge services where there is not compliance with an executed agreement.