SARNIA, Ont. — The Ontario government has awarded the City of Sarnia $400,000 through the third round of the Building Faster Fund after the municipality dramatically exceeded its provincially assigned housing target in 2025, highlighting the city’s role in supporting housing development and economic growth across the province.
The funding is part of Ontario’s Building Faster Fund, a program designed to encourage municipalities to accelerate residential construction by rewarding those that achieve at least 80 per cent of their annual housing targets. According to the province, Sarnia broke ground on 654 new homes in 2025, achieving 654 per cent of its annual target.
Provincial officials said the funding will support housing-related infrastructure and community projects that help municipalities accommodate growth while creating jobs and supporting local economies.
“Sarnia continues to play an important role in addressing Ontario’s housing needs,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Our government is supporting growing municipalities by investing in essential housing-enabling infrastructure and removing barriers to development, including through the recently announced Development Charge Reduction Program.”
Building Faster Fund rewards municipalities that exceed targets
Launched in August 2023, the Building Faster Fund is a three-year program valued at up to $1.2 billion. The initiative provides financial incentives to municipalities that make substantial progress toward provincially designated housing goals, helping fund infrastructure projects required to support new housing developments and population growth.
Sarnia’s performance places it among the province’s strongest housing performers, significantly surpassing the threshold required to qualify for funding.
Mayor Mike Bradley said the funding will help the city continue creating conditions that encourage residential development and community expansion.
“This funding isn’t just about building a home; it’s about creating the conditions to move projects forward and support the growth of our community,” said Mike Bradley, Mayor of the City of Sarnia. “Sarnia is proud to have consistently exceeded its provincial housing targets in all three years of the Building Faster Fund program.”
The provincial government has made housing supply a central policy priority, introducing measures intended to reduce development costs, simplify approvals and encourage private-sector investment in residential construction.
Province advances broader housing affordability strategy
Ontario recently introduced legislative measures aimed at accelerating development, including the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, and the HST Relief Implementation Act (Residential Property Rebates), 2026.
The province also announced the Development Charge Reduction Program as part of the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build, an initiative valued at up to $8.8 billion. The program will provide funding for housing-enabling infrastructure projects over a 10-year period, with priority given to municipalities that reduce and maintain lower development charges.
In addition, the agreement supports the removal of the provincial portion of the HST on qualifying new homes between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027. Provincial officials estimate the measure could save homebuyers up to $130,000 on the purchase of a new home.
The government says these initiatives are intended to improve affordability, encourage builders to begin new projects and sustain employment in Ontario’s construction sector.
Housing starts rise across Ontario
Recent provincial data indicate housing activity has accelerated across Ontario in 2026.
From January to May, the province recorded 26,084 total housing starts, representing a 17.2 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2025. Rental construction has shown particularly strong growth, with 13,599 rental housing starts during the first five months of the year, a 94.9 per cent increase year over year and a record level for that period.
To provide municipalities with greater flexibility, Ontario has also extended the deadline for spending Building Faster Fund allocations to 2028.
The province noted that Lambton County municipalities are receiving significant infrastructure support through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program. Ontario is investing $53 million across the county to enable more than 4,000 new homes, including more than $12 million earmarked for the City of Sarnia.
Local representatives welcome investment
Provincial representatives for the region said the funding reflects ongoing efforts to increase housing availability and support community growth.
“Our government is protecting Ontario by helping municipalities build more homes, faster and smarter. By working alongside partners like the City of Sarnia, we are increasing housing supply and helping keep the dream of homeownership within reach for families across the province.”
- Brian Saunderson
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
“Our government is proud to partner with the City of Sarnia to accelerate housing development in our community. This investment represents another major step in our ongoing commitment to boost housing supply and make homeownership a reality for more families in Sarnia-Lambton.”
- Bob Bailey
MPP for Sarnia-Lambton
As Ontario continues its push to expand housing supply, Sarnia’s performance under the Building Faster Fund demonstrates how municipalities that exceed development targets are being rewarded with additional resources to support future growth and infrastructure needs.