The Ontario government is investing CAD 1 billion to help municipalities build the water infrastructure needed to address the housing shortage. As stated in a press release, through the new Housing-Enabling Water Infrastructure (HEWI) lending stream under Infrastructure Ontario’s (IO) Loan Program, municipalities can secure flexible financing to construct, expand, and upgrade drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater facilities. Applications for the program open on December 2, 2024.
Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma emphasized the importance of this initiative: “We continue to hear from our municipal partners that one of the greatest barriers to building more homes is the need for new and expanded drinking water, wastewater and stormwater management facilities.”
Key features of the HEWI lending stream include deferred interest payments during the construction phase, repayment terms of up to 40 years, and reduced administrative costs. These flexible options are designed to support all municipalities, including smaller and rural communities, in advancing water infrastructure projects critical for housing developments.
The program complements other provincial initiatives, such as the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund and the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program. Together, these investments, which total nearly CAD 2 billion, align with Ontario’s broader plan to improve infrastructure and accelerate home construction. This effort is part of Ontario’s historic CAD 191 billion capital investment plan over the next decade.
With this initiative, Ontario continues its commitment to addressing housing challenges by ensuring municipalities have the resources to expand vital water infrastructure.
