Kawartha Lakes Earns $1.4M Bonus from Ontario’s Building Faster Fund
City rewarded for hitting 83% of housing target in 2024 as province pushes to speed up home construction
LINDSAY, ON — The City of Kawartha Lakes has received a major financial boost from the Ontario government for making strong progress toward its housing targets. Through the second round of the Building Faster Fund, the province is awarding $1,442,307 to the city for breaking ground on 451 new homes in 2024, reaching 83 per cent of its annual target.
The announcement was made Monday by Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack, as part of Ontario’s broader plan to incentivize municipalities that help address the housing crisis by accelerating construction timelines and approvals.
“Through the Building Faster Fund, we’re partnering with Mayor Elmslie to get shovels in the ground in Kawartha Lakes,” said Minister Flack. “This investment is another step forward in our plan to streamline approvals and get more homes built faster.”
Building Faster, Building Smarter
The Building Faster Fund is a $1.2 billion, three-year provincial program launched in August 2023 to reward municipalities that meet at least 80% of their assigned housing targets. It provides funding for housing-enabling and community infrastructure, such as water, roads, and sewage capacity needed to support growing populations.
The City of Kawartha Lakes is among the top-performing municipalities in this second round of funding, with its housing progress seen as a key success story in Ontario’s broader housing plan.
“Thanks to Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for this funding,” said Mayor Doug Elmslie. “Together we are building the future of Kawartha Lakes, where we will thrive together when everyone has a place to call home.”
Provincial Strategy on Housing
The announcement aligns with the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025, which aims to further streamline development approvals, reduce red tape, and lower construction costs in partnership with local governments.
“This $1.44 million investment recognizes the city’s strong progress,” added Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “It will help accelerate construction so that owning a home remains within reach for more people in Kawartha Lakes.”
From January to May 2025, Ontario saw 6,977 new rental housing starts, a 25% increase over the same period in 2024 — the second-highest level on record for that stretch.
To ensure municipalities have enough time to plan and build effectively, the province has also extended the spending timeline for Building Faster Fund dollars to 2028.
Parliamentary Assistant Matthew Rae added:
“This funding will play a key role in ensuring that the housing and infrastructure needs of local communities are met for generations to come.”
As Ontario pushes forward with its aggressive housing goals, partnerships like this one with Kawartha Lakes highlight how local leadership and provincial support can align to tackle the housing supply crisis and build stronger, more vibrant communities.
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