Clarington has successfully reached an agreement that will bring 55 affordable housing units to Courtice, a community within Durham Region, marking a significant step toward addressing housing affordability in the area. The deal, finalized with the Region of Durham and the property owner of 1697 and 1701 Highway 2, promises that these units will remain affordable for the next 25 years, thanks to the developer’s commitment to maintaining affordability.
The agreement is part of Clarington’s efforts to create more affordable and attainable housing options, a crucial issue for many communities across the Greater Toronto Area. Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster emphasized the importance of affordable housing but acknowledged the need for a broader range of housing options, including attainable housing and transitional housing. “We’ve had a couple of chats about what we can do in terms of affordability; we’re limited with rules, but we’re going to see some more incentives,” Mayor Foster said.
The new development will consist of 138 residential units across three four- to six-storey buildings. While 55 of these units will be designated as affordable housing, the other units will cater to the general market. The 55 affordable units will be priced below the average market rent and will be governed by provincial affordability guidelines, ensuring that they remain affordable for future tenants over the next 25 years. These will be long-term affordable rentals, providing much-needed housing options for low- to moderate-income individuals and families.
Under the terms of the agreement, the municipality of Clarington has waived development charges (DCs) and parkland dedication requirements for the development in exchange for the creation of these affordable units. Mayor Foster stated, “As a municipality, we’re sort of the last line of defense, so when other levels of government aren’t stepping up, we have to. We frequently do not have the tools available to us,” highlighting the challenge of funding affordable housing initiatives at the municipal level.
The decision to waive these fees aims to incentivize developers to build more affordable housing, though Mayor Foster pointed out that such waivers could lead to higher residential property taxes, which could further affect affordability. However, the Building Faster Fund, which was introduced by the provincial government, may help address these challenges. In 2025, Clarington received more than $2.8 million through this fund, and Mayor Foster is hopeful that it can be used to boost housing development in the community.
While affordable housing remains a complex issue, Clarington is taking steps to ensure that Courtice and the broader Durham Region continue to provide housing options that are accessible to all residents, regardless of income.
For more information about the development, visit Clarington’s official website at clarington.net.
