Housing affordability is a growing concern across Canada and is particularly pronounced in urban centers such as the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. In 2021, 51% of all renter households and 33% of owner households in Richmond Hill were spending 30% or more of their income on shelter costs (Census 2021).

In alignment with the City’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, the Affordable Housing Strategy, the Official Plan and the approved amendments to the ongoing Official Plan Update, the City of Richmond Hill is working to remove barriers to enable more housing. The City continues to support the development of communities with a full range of housing options to meet the needs of residents of all ages, abilities and income levels.

Affordable Housing Strategy

In 2021, Richmond Hill Council approved an Affordable Housing Strategy (AHS). The AHS guides the City’s work to enable, support and facilitate affordable housing in the private housing market within the community.

Background work for the Strategy included a housing needs assessment, which was updated in 2024 through the Affordable Housing Strategy: Housing Needs Assessment Review and Update report. This report updated key changes in socio-demographic and housing trends and confirmed that housing gaps identified in 2021 remain the same, thus the goals of the AHS remain relevant.

Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for Affordable Housing and Sustainable Design

In late 2023, Richmond Hill was awarded the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) grant, which enabled this City to implement a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for Affordable Housing and Sustainable Design incentive program.

The CIP, approved by Council in November 2024, establishes the City’s first financial incentives program for sustainably designed affordable rental units. The program is available to private and non-profit housing providers, offering incentives to sustainably designed rental projects with 11 or more units of which a minimum of five must be affordable rental units.

The CIP offers four incentive streams:

• Per Affordable Unit Grant
• Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG)
• Competitive Capital Funding Grant
• Public Lands

These financial incentives help address the need for both upfront capital investment required for construction and ongoing operational support to ensure the long-term viability of the affordable units. 

The 2025 Phase 1 CIP Funding Application intake window has closed. The application intake window opened on Monday, January 27, 2025 and closed on Friday, April 25, 2025 for the Per Affordable Unit Grant and the TIEG incentives. Please visit the CIP webpage for more detailed information.

Other Tools and Resources

• Handbook for Developing Affordable Housing: This handbook provides affordable housing-related resources for the nonprofit and residential development communities in Richmond Hill, including funding programs and measures that help reduce the cost of housing developments. 
• Structuring Your Application – Affordable Housing Template: This document helps developers identify the number of qualified affordable units in their proposals and provides guidelines on how to meet the affordable housing targets outlined in the City’s Official Plan. 
• Federal Housing Needs Assessment: In 2025, the City completed the federal Housing Needs Assessment template, which further confirms the City’s housing gaps, reinforcing the goals of the AHS.

Community Housing Information

The City does not administer housing units. Information on subsidized housing applications, subsidized housing, emergency and transitional housing and other related information are available in housing resources provided by York Region.

Affordable Housing-Related Information

• Affordable Housing Strategy
• Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF)
• Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for Affordable Housing and Sustainable Design
• Additional Residential Units
• Bill 23, More Homes Built Fast Act, 2022