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Lanark County council has approved the 2026-2027 Community Housing Renewal Strategy Investment Plan and authorized its submission to the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Council also approved issuing a request for proposals for nearly $900,000 in one-time Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative funding aimed at building, owning and operating affordable housing units in Lanark County or Smiths Falls.
Housing Services Manager Kaitlyn Murray told the community services committee earlier this month the funding is part of a federal-provincial strategy running through 2028 to help stabilize existing community housing and support new affordable housing projects.
Under the proposed COCHI-funded builds, rents would be set at or below affordable housing rates and could only increase according to annual Residential Tenancies Act guidelines.
Murray said preference will be given to non-profit proposals that show a strong long-term approach to housing stability in Lanark County or Smiths Falls.
Council also approved allocating Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative funding to non-profit housing providers on a per-unit basis, with remaining funds potentially reallocated within providers or the Lanark County Housing Corporation.
The OPHI funding will support rental assistance programs and housing repairs through Ontario Renovates. Murray said projects approved for repairs will focus on issues that could threaten building conditions or shorten the life of the property if left unaddressed.
