The need for new housing has never been more urgent. Ontario’s growing population and rising housing demand require bold action, and Halton Region is stepping up to meet the challenge.
The Province has set a target to build 1.5 million homes across Ontario by 2031. 92,500 of these homes have been pledged in Halton region, including Burlington, Halton Hills, Oakville and Milton. However, at this scale it isn’t just about construction— the proper water, wastewater and road infrastructure must be in place to support thriving, sustainable communities.
Investing in infrastructure to enable growth
Halton Region is proactively planning, financing, and delivering more than $5.2 billion in water, wastewater, and road infrastructure to meet these ambitious housing targets. These essential investments ensure communities have clean drinking water, reliable wastewater treatment, and well-connected roads, all critical foundations for sustainable expansion.
Halton’s strong financial position, including a AAA/Aaa credit rating and an $8.8 billion 10-year capital plan, allows us to make strategic investments in infrastructure. Halton Region has the capacity to support 104,000 new housing units, and 90,663 units are already in development approval pipelines across the region. Additionally, 2,095 hectares of greenfield land have secured water and wastewater servicing capacity, ensuring that housing development can proceed efficiently.
The power of collaboration
Ensuring infrastructure is in place requires strong partnerships with all levels of government and the development community. Halton Region has worked closely with developers to create agreements that pre-pay development charges, ensuring infrastructure is available when needed. These agreements demonstrate the private sector’s commitment to accelerating growth, but they must be complemented by government support to keep up with rising demand.
We have already streamlined planning services by transitioning responsibilities to our Local Municipalities and establishing a Memorandum of Understanding to eliminate duplication. This efficiency, combined with our financial planning and collaboration with developers, makes Halton one of the best-positioned regions to support Ontario’s housing targets—provided that the necessary funding is in place.
The case for Provincial support
While Halton Region is taking significant steps to support growth, the Province’s support is essential to sustain momentum and unlock further housing development. The cost of delivering critical infrastructure is rising, and funding constraints could delay projects. To accelerate growth, the Provincial Government can take immediate action by:
- Expanding funding programs such as the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF) to support new infrastructure and the maintenance and repair of existing systems.
- Working with Halton Region to explore new funding sources beyond development charges to ensure a sustainable and predictable revenue stream for infrastructure investment.
Building a sustainable future together
Without critical infrastructure, housing construction will stall, impacting affordability, economic growth, and the ability of families to find homes in Halton Region. Investing in roads, water, and wastewater services today will ensure that our communities remain livable, well-connected, and environmentally sustainable for generations.
Halton Region is ready to work alongside the Provincial and Federal Governments to unlock the housing supply, accelerate development, and ensure our communities continue growing and thriving. By investing in the infrastructure that makes housing possible, we can make Ontario’s ambitious housing goals a reality.
The time to act is now. Let’s build the future together.