City exceeds provincial housing target as Ontario pushes ahead with homebuilding strategy
PICKERING, Ont. —
The Ontario government is providing the City of Pickering with more than $4.4 million through the province’s Building Faster Fund after the municipality exceeded its provincially assigned housing target in 2025.
The funding, announced Thursday, rewards municipalities that achieve at least 80 per cent of their annual housing goals. Pickering surpassed its target by 14 per cent last year after construction began on 1,477 new homes, according to the province.
The city will receive $4,410,987 in the third round of funding under the Building Faster Fund, a three-year, $1.2-billion provincial program launched in 2023 to accelerate home construction and support infrastructure tied to growing communities.
Ontario said the investment will help Pickering expand housing supply while supporting infrastructure projects needed to accommodate population growth and economic development.
“In the face of economic uncertainty, our government is doing everything we can to lower costs for families, keep workers on the job and get shovels in the ground faster on new homes by cutting taxes and red tape,” said Premier Doug Ford. “From providing an HST rebate of up to $130,000 on new homes to investing $8.8 billion dollars in housing-enabling infrastructure, we will continue to work with our federal and municipal partners to help families in Pickering and across the province realize the dream of homeownership.”
Pickering highlights momentum in housing construction
Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe said the city continues to see strong growth and is working to expand housing options for residents across different income levels and life stages.
“As one of Ontario’s fastest-growing cities, Pickering is proud to continue answering the call by increasing housing supply and creating more options for residents at every stage of life,” said Kevin Ashe, Mayor of Pickering. “With strong momentum in new home construction and a continued focus on building complete communities, we are helping to meet demand for new housing while supporting a high quality of life for our residents. We thank the Ontario government for its ongoing partnership through the Building Faster Fund, which is helping us invest in the infrastructure needed to support our growing community and ensure Pickering remains a vibrant, inclusive and welcoming place to call home.”
The province has positioned the Building Faster Fund as part of a broader effort to address Ontario’s housing shortage by encouraging municipalities to speed up approvals and development timelines.
Ontario has also introduced legislation intended to reduce construction delays and lower development-related costs. Recent measures include the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, and the HST Relief Implementation Act (Residential Property Rebates), 2026.
Province points to rising housing starts across Ontario
Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack said the province remains focused on increasing housing supply across the province amid continued demand for homes.
“Across Ontario, there is a need for more homes across the continuum,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “That is why our government is working tirelessly through legislation and related measures to reduce the time and cost of building.”
Ontario reported that housing construction activity has increased significantly in early 2026. Between January and March, the province recorded 13,743 housing starts, up 24.3 per cent compared with the same period in 2025.
Rental construction also posted substantial gains during the quarter. Ontario recorded 6,439 rental housing starts from January to March, marking a 68.2 per cent increase year over year and setting a provincial record for rental starts during that period.
The province also announced it is extending the deadline for municipalities to spend Building Faster Fund allocations until 2028, providing communities with additional flexibility to complete housing-related infrastructure projects.
Federal-provincial partnership adds infrastructure support
The announcement follows a broader housing agreement signed earlier this year between Ontario and the federal government.
In March 2026, the two governments finalized the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build, a 10-year, $8.8-billion infrastructure agreement aimed at supporting housing-enabling and transit projects across the province.
Funding under the agreement will prioritize municipalities that lower and maintain reduced development charges, according to the province. The partnership also supports the temporary removal of the HST on new homes between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027, a measure Ontario says could save homebuyers up to $130,000 on the purchase of a new home.
Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering—Uxbridge, said the latest funding recognizes Pickering’s role in advancing new housing projects and supporting economic growth in the region.
“This $4.4 million investment through the Building Faster Fund recognizes the City of Pickering’s leadership in getting homes built and keeping projects moving,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering—Uxbridge. “By supporting essential infrastructure, we are increasing housing supply, improving affordability and helping bring the dream of homeownership back within reach — while supporting local jobs and long-term growth.”