The federal government and the City of Brampton have struck a deal to fast-track the construction of more than 3,100 hew housing units in the city over the next three years.

Funded under the Housing Accelerator Fund, the agreement will provide over $114 million to eliminate barriers to new-housing construction.

It will allow for high-density development near the city's transit corridors, reduce barriers to the development of housing in key areas of the city – such as urban centres, boulevards, and major public transit stations – and result in the creation of new incentive programs for affordable housing.

Brampton has also committed to expanding the as-of-right zoning permission for housing, including permitting four residential units and four storeys within 800 metres of transit, which covers the vast majority of the city.

The work is expected to help spur the construction of more than 24,000 homes over the next decade and help meet the demand in Brampton.

"We need to build more homes, faster,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “That means working with mayors that want to cut red tape and help change the way we build homes in this country. It's what this announcement in Brampton is all about. By investing in programs like the Housing Accelerator Fund, we're building the foundation for a more stable, affordable, and prosperous life for millions of Canadians from coast to coast to coast." 

With an average annual population growth rate of approximately 4%, Brampton is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Canada. The city is expected to reach a population of 1 million by 2051, driven by factors such as international and domestic trade, investments in public transit, and its proximity to urban centres like Toronto.

"The City of Brampton is a committed partner in the solution for more affordable housing for residents,” said Mayor Patrick Brown. “This growth will be supported sustainably and strategically, focusing on higher-density development near transit corridors to ensure that while we're meeting the needs of residents, we're also reducing barriers to the development of housing in key areas of the city." 

The Housing Accelerator Fund is a $4 billion initiative created by the federal government to help cut red tape and help cities, towns and Indigenous governments build at least 10,000 new housing units through 2027.

It asks for innovative action plans from local governments, and once approved, provides upfront funding to ensure the timely building of new homes, as well as additional funds upon delivering results.

Recently, the federal government announced similar agreements with London and Vaughan, Ontario. Combined, they will fast track the creation of over 3,900 additional housing units in both cities over the next three years alone, and thousands more units in the years to come.