Housing | City of Oshawa

The Region of Durham is legislated by the Province of Ontario as a Service System Manager (S.S.M.) for Housing and Homelessness through the Housing Services Act.

Although the City is not responsible for building homes, we have taken bold steps to reduce barriers and create opportunities for accelerating housing growth. We continue to explore every tool available and welcome collaboration with the development community, the non-profit sector and all levels of government.

Our role

The City of Oshawa is proud of its progress in reducing housing barriers and accelerating growth through bold, innovative solutions -- including financial incentives, red tape reduction, streamlined approvals, and strategic partnerships.

Although the City does not build homes, we have taken these actions to support housing development:

Zero dollar downtown housing development fees

Development Charges are not required for any project located within the core of the Downtown Oshawa Urban Growth Centre

Reduced restrictions

Changes to the zoning rules and the Oshawa Official Plan to allow taller buildings and more homes in the Downtown Oshawa Area. This means the area can now have up to 1,000 homes per hectare, compared to 555 before.

New homes and development assistance

Introducing a municipal property acquisition, investment and partnership program focusing on property acquisition, investment and involvement in public/private partnerships to rehabilitate and/or redevelop private or publicly-owned property in the Downtown Oshawa Urban Growth Centre and the Central Oshawa Protected Major Transit Station Area to support the goals and objectives of the Oshawa Official Plan as it relates to housing and economic growth
Continuing to review plans for new homes to make sure they meet the rules set by the Province and the City, and monitoring the number of existing and planned affordable housing units in Oshawa. View our progress on the Housing dashboard

Advancing the permitting process

Implementing e-permitting for all development and building permit types to speed up development approvals
Implementing systems to monitor and publicly report on application processing times, with an emphasis on continuous assessment and improvement

Affordable housing options

Offering City-owned surplus lands to accommodate housing projects such as the Habitat for Humanity GTA's project at 485 Normandy St. containing 50 affordable housing units and the Region's project at 419-451 Christine Cres. containing 160 units, of which approximately 36 units will be affordable units and approximately 12 units will be rent-geared-to-income units
Advancing planning applications and/or building permits for the following private-sector affordable housing projects:
- 115 Colborne St. - 75 unit affordable apartment building
- Coldstream Dr. and Ormond Dr. - 66 unit affordable stacked townhouse development (Durham Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation)
- 1050 Simcoe St. S. - 54 unit seniors apartment building (Durham Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation)

Reduced parking standards

The City is actively modernizing requirements—especially for residential uses—by adjusting minimums, redefining space sizes and adding new categories like student housing.

Collaboration with the Region of Durham

Partnering with the Region to revitalize community housing in two housing communities located at 416-448 Malaga Rd. and 419-451 Christine Cres., with over 550 units combined
Supporting the Region’s redevelopment of the former Ritson Public School to include a mixed-use, sustainably-built housing project along with community programs, planned to accommodate up to 660 units, with at least 30% being affordable units
Supporting the Region’s development of a new 36-unit apartment building at 600 Townline Rd. S. with a mix of affordable and market housing, along with children’s programs and a new Regionally operated child care centre in the former Grandview Children’s Centre building

What is affordable housing?

In Ontario, Affordable Housing is defined as follows:

in the case of ownership housing, the least expensive of:

1. housing for which the purchase price results in annual accommodation costs which do not exceed 30% of gross annual household income for low and moderate income households; or
2. housing for which the purchase price is at least 10% below the average purchase price of a resale unit in the municipality;

in the case of rental housing, the least expensive of:

1. a unit for which the rent does not exceed 30% of gross annual household income for low and moderate income households; or
2. a unit for which the rent is at or below the average market rent of a unit in the municipality.

Region of Durham's role

The Region of Durham provides Housing Programs and associated supports, including Eviction Prevention Workers and Housing Outreach Workers. Learn more on the Durham Region's housing supports webpage.

At home in Durham

At home in Durham aims to improve affordability and access to housing, protect the existing affordable housing supply, encourage housing diversity, and build capacity in the housing system.

Durham's commitment and goals

It commits to the initiation of the development of 1,000 new affordable rental housing units by 2024 – including new supportive and transitional housing opportunities for vulnerable low-income residents.

Goal 1: End homelessness in Durham
Goal 2: Affordable rent for everyone
Goal 3: Greater housing choice
Goal 4: Strong and vibrant neighbourhoods

At home in Durham is supported by the Master Housing strategy and the recommendations of the Affordable and Seniors’ Housing Task Force.

Resources

Planning and Development

Housing Permits and Licenses

Incentives

Community Improvement Plans