Durham Affordable Housing is receiving an $8-million investment to support 106 new affordable rental units in Oshawa and the Township of Brock as the Region works to expand the supply of lower-cost housing.
The funding comes through Durham Region’s At Home Incentive Program, or AHIP, which provides capital grants and application support to developments that include affordable rental homes.
The Region announced that ACA Housing Corporation will receive $750,000 for a Sunderland project, while Athol Green Co-operative Homes Incorporated will receive $7.25 million for a much larger downtown Oshawa development.
Sunderland project adds affordable apartments
ACA Housing Corporation plans to redevelop a vacant former retirement home at 82 River Street in Sunderland.
The proposed three-storey building will contain 18 rental units overall, including 10 designated affordable units.
Those affordable homes will include three studio apartments and seven one-bedroom units.
The Region’s official announcement also says three ground-floor units will be designed as accessible, universal barrier-free homes.
The Sunderland project will receive $750,000 through AHIP.
For Brock Township, the investment represents a relatively small but important addition to the local rental supply, particularly for residents who need smaller and more affordable units.
Oshawa project receives $7.25 million
The largest portion of the funding will go to Athol Green Co-operative Homes Incorporated.
The organization plans to construct a 23-storey rental apartment building on the north side of Athol Street West, between Centre Street and Simcoe Street in downtown Oshawa.
The building will contain 274 rental apartments, including 96 affordable units.
The affordable portion will include 71 one-bedroom apartments, 21 two-bedroom units and four three-bedroom homes.
Fifteen per cent of the units are intended to be accessible, and the project plans to pursue Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification.
Housing for single mothers included
A significant part of the Oshawa project will support single mothers pursuing education and greater financial independence.
Twenty-five units are planned for participants in WoodGreen’s Homeward Bound program.
The program combines stable housing with education, employment and other supports designed to help single mothers earn college diplomas, begin careers and work toward long-term financial stability.
The inclusion of these units means the development will provide more than affordable rent alone, connecting some residents with broader social and economic supports.
What is the At Home Incentive Program?
AHIP was established by Durham Region to encourage developers and housing organizations to create more affordable rental units.
Eligible projects can include new apartment construction, conversions of non-residential buildings into rental housing, additions to existing properties and community-housing redevelopment.
Applications are evaluated based on factors such as affordability, location, unit sizes, community need and the populations the project is intended to serve.
Since AHIP was created in 2022, Regional Council has approved $38.95 million in funding supporting 457 affordable units across Durham Region.
Previous AHIP-supported developments have included projects in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Uxbridge, Courtice and Port Perry.
Region says demand continues to grow
Durham Region says the investment comes as demand for affordable rental housing continues to increase.
Regional Chair John Henry said affordable housing requires partnerships and strategic investment and described the latest funding as an effort to provide greater stability and opportunity for residents.
The Durham Affordable Housing announcement adds projects in both an urban centre and a smaller northern Durham community, helping expand rental supply in different parts of the region.
Both developments remain part of the broader planning and construction process, but the approved regional funding provides significant financial support toward moving the projects forward.
