The Municipality of Clarington has received more than $2.8 million from the Ontario government through the second round of the Building Faster Fund (BFF), recognizing its progress in meeting provincial housing targets and supporting the province’s broader plan to accelerate housing construction across Ontario.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced Friday that Clarington will receive $2,877,680 after achieving 83 per cent of its 2024 housing target, with 899 new homes breaking ground over the past year. The funding rewards municipalities that have met or exceeded 80 per cent of their provincially designated targets.
According to the province, the money will help Clarington build more homes and expand community infrastructure while advancing Ontario’s efforts to “protect Ontario by investing in infrastructure to support economic growth and keep workers on the job.”
“The Building Faster Fund is just one way we are creating the conditions to get shovels in the ground, complementing recent actions like the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, and rebating the provincial portion of HST for first-time home buyers,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “I want to thank Mayor Foster along with all the mayors and local councillors across Ontario who are getting shovels in the ground to build more homes, faster.”
Funding rewards housing progress
Launched in August 2023, the Building Faster Fund is a three-year, $1.2 billion program designed to encourage municipalities to accelerate approvals and speed up homebuilding. The program provides grants for “housing-enabling” and “community-enabling” infrastructure projects such as roads, water systems, and public amenities that support new housing developments.
Clarington’s recognition highlights its status as one of the fastest-growing communities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
“There’s a reason Clarington is one of the fastest growing municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area – it’s a place where people want to be,” said Adrian Foster, Mayor of Clarington. “As we proactively plan for Clarington’s steady growth, we’re pleased to receive the Building Faster Fund, which will be invested in the infrastructure needed to support new neighbourhoods. We’re eager to keep working with the province to advance our shared housing goals and ensure Clarington remains an awesome place to live and work.”
Complementary investments in Durham Region
The BFF funding builds on nearly $81 million in new provincial investments across Durham Region through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP), intended to enable construction of roughly 200,000 new homes. Clarington alone is receiving more than $509,000 through that program.
Provincial representatives said the investment reflects a growing partnership between municipalities and the province to meet housing demand, particularly in fast-growing areas surrounding the GTA.
“Our government continues to Protect Ontario by rewarding municipal partners who lead by example. We know that for every project that gets green-lit, we are keeping workers on the job and building stronger communities where everyone has a safe place to call home,” said Brian Saunderson, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
“I commend Mayor Foster for taking bold action to ensure homes are built faster in Clarington. This funding to our municipal partners demonstrates our government’s commitment to build homes that families need and deserve,” said Todd McCarthy, Member of Provincial Parliament for Durham.
“Our government is delivering results for Clarington. Working with Mayor Foster and council, we’re building the homes our growing community needs and investing in the infrastructure that supports them. This over $2.8 million investment through the Building Faster Fund recognizes Clarington’s success in getting homes built faster and helps more families find a place to call home in Durham Region,” added David Piccini, Member of Provincial Parliament for Northumberland-Peterborough South.
Ontario’s broader housing strategy
The province has paired its funding with new legislation intended to streamline development and reduce costs. Among these are the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 and the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025. The government says both laws are aimed at modernizing approvals and infrastructure planning while protecting the environment and supporting economic growth.
In its 2025 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: A Plan to Protect Ontario, the government also proposed a rebate of the full provincial portion of the HST for first-time buyers of most new homes valued up to $1 million. Pending federal approval, the measure would eliminate the 8 per cent provincial share of HST, potentially saving buyers up to $80,000 when combined with existing relief programs.
From January to September 2025, Ontario recorded 17,202 new rental housing starts, representing a 38 per cent increase from the same period in 2024 — the highest on record for this time of year. To help municipalities better manage the pace of construction, the government has also extended the Building Faster Fund spending deadline to 2028.
As the province continues to face pressure to meet its ambitious goal of 1.5 million new homes by 2031, Clarington’s success serves as an example of how municipal and provincial collaboration can yield measurable progress in housing supply and infrastructure development.