​Up to $50,000 available through affordable rental unit funding program

Do you have room in your backyard for a small home? Could you renovate your basement into an apartment? Bruce County is offering financial support to homeowners who build an affordable rental unit on their property.

The Affordable Additional Residential Unit funding program, now in its second year, offers up to $50,000 in funding assistance to eligible homeowners for construction of this type of unit.

“The program is part of Bruce County's Build in Bruce initiative and Housing Action Plan and is designed to help address our community’s growing need for long-term, stable, affordable rental housing,” says Tina Metcalfe, county director of human services.

This funding program is ideal for homeowners who have extra space. Perfect for empty-nesters, seniors, new homeowners or anyone looking to transform under-utilized space into a creative housing solution that benefits both their household and their community.

The program also supports units being built as separate, detached structures, providing even more flexibility for innovative housing solutions.

“This funding opportunity supports homeowners in creating innovative affordable housing solutions, directly addressing one of our most pressing challenges,” says warden Luke Charbonneau. “This opens doors for both renters and homeowners, while strengthening local communities through increased affordable housing options.”

The program launched in 2024 as a pilot project and two homeowners were successful in receiving $50,000 each to construct an additional rental unit, with projects currently under construction.

The 2025 program is supported, in part, by Bruce Power’s Seed Funding Program for Affordable Housing, granted to Bruce County in partnership with the eight local municipalities.

Program details:
 

• Funding: Up to $50,000 per approved applicant, covering up to 75 per cent of total construction costs. This funding structure recognizes that creative additional rental unit solutions come in many forms and scales, allowing homeowners to pursue innovative designs and approaches that best suit their property and circumstances. Applications will be reviewed and awarded based on the scoring matrix outlined in the application.  Program funding for 2025 is available for a minimum of four projects.
• Eligibility: Homeowners of single-detached, duplexes/semi-detached and townhouse properties in Bruce County. Homeowners must use the property as their principal residence and maintain current property taxes, mortgage payments and insurance coverage.
• Affordability Commitment: The rental of new units must be at affordable rates for 10 years.
• Rental rates: Must be at, or below, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's average market rent ($1,236 for one bedroom, $1,531 for two bedrooms).
• Income requirements: Renter household income must be at, or below, $67,200 annually (as of 2025).

How to apply:

Interested homeowners can learn more and apply on-line at www.brucecounty.on.ca/buildinbruce/arufunding or contact Bruce County's Housing Concierge Service at housingconcierge@brucecounty.on.ca or 1-800-265-3005.

The application deadline is Nov. 21.