City Council approved the recommendations of staff report DEV-009-2026 and the Housing Development Concierge Program has been extended until December 31, 2027, with some modifications. Applications for the pilot program are currently open, as several Housing Concierge projects have moved through the development approvals process and are now under construction.
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 approvals and incentive programs to get shovels in the ground quickly.
Services Included
- Dedicated City resource to provide advice, information, and support throughout the planning and development review, the preparation of development agreements, and building permit application review processes.
- Education and information regarding the development review process, timelines, technical requirements, and submission materials.
- Guidance on funding and incentives available for development projects, including assistance navigating agreement requirements.
- Elevated customer service experience for all stakeholders.
- Streamlined and time-sensitive development process facilitation to fast-track development timelines and prioritized building permit review, in accordance with defined service standards.
- Collaboration and coordination with City departments to streamline review.
- Assistance with connecting with external agencies.
- Setting clear and realistic expectations for applicants, City departments, and external agencies.
- Rapid and coordinated issue resolution through a single point of contact.
- Facilitating connections between market developers and non-profit groups to support partnerships for affordable housing provision.
The Housing Development Concierge Program does not:
- Exempt projects from obtaining all necessary zoning, development, building and external approvals.
- Exempt projects from meeting City or external standards, including zoning, engineering, design, or building permit requirements.
- Waive application fees and charges, securities and deposits or insurance requirements.
Housing Project Eligibility
Projects must have zoning approvals in place and be looking to quickly move through site plan control and building permit application approvals.
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 Per Door Grant funding through the City’s Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP) will automatically be eligible for the Concierge Program.
Non-profit housing, larger projects that will quickly deliver housing units and 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 Per Door Grant 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).
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.
How to Apply
If your project is looking to move forward quickly and meets the eligibility criteria above, please submit your application to the City of Barrie’s Housing Branch of Development Services.
If you require assistance or have questions about the application, please contact DevelopmentConcierge@barrie.ca.
Once your application is received, Development Services staff will screen your application for completeness and basic eligibility, and then reach out to request a cover letter and concept plan.
Once provided, staff will review your application and score it using the Housing Development Concierge scorecard. Applicants will receive confirmation on whether the project is eligible within approximately five business days following receipt of their cover letter.
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 Housing Development Concierge Program Service Standards and 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, which they can submit with their 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.
Housing Development Concierge Projects
The following projects have been completed or are currently under construction:
- 118 Tiffin Street (completed and occupied)
- 20 Rose Street (under construction)
- 52 Lakeside Terrace (under construction)
- 60 Dean Avenue (under construction)
- 375–393 Yonge Street (under construction)
- 53 Coulter Street (under construction)
- 545–565 Big Bay Point Road, 218 Ashford Drive, 207–209 Montgomery Drive & 200–210 Bertha Avenue (under construction)