Housing Community Improvement Plan (HCIP) Grants
Also known as: HAF Housing CIP Grants · Thunder Bay Housing CIP
Thunder Bay's Housing CIP, funded by the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, pays 100% of eligible costs up to $25,000 per new unit created above 70% of a zone's maximum density (max $300,000 per property), plus up to $10,000 in planning/building fee rebates. Important: as of August 2026 the HAF intake window is CLOSED, sign up for the city's newsletter for a potential reopening.
Key facts
- Amount
- Up to $300,000
thunderbay.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
- Instrument
- Grant (non-repayable)
- Status
- Paused under review, confirm with funder
- Who qualifies
- Property owner, developer, landlord
- Property within the Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA)
- Only units above 70% of the zone's maximum density qualify (e.g., in the Urban Low-Rise Zone allowing 6 units, units beyond 4.2 qualify)
- No property tax arrears or outstanding City obligations
- Space/water heating must be electric or zero-emissions (exceptions possible)
- Units cannot be used for short-term accommodation
thunderbay.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
Intake windows
| Cycle | Opens | Closes | Status | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAF intake (2026 status) | - | - | Status unconfirmed HAF-funded allocation; intake window explicitly CLOSED, 'no longer accepting applications'; reopening only signalled via City newsletter |
thunderbay.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Reported, verification pending |
Application process
Call first. This funder expects contact with a program officer before you apply.
- Intake window application to Planning Services
- Approval
- Construction
- Grant paid after construction completion and building permit final inspection closure
thunderbay.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
Common questions
Is the Thunder Bay Housing CIP currently accepting applications?
No. The official page states the Housing Accelerator Fund application intake window is closed. The city offers a newsletter signup for notice of any future reopening.
What does 'above 70% maximum density' mean?
Only units beyond 70% of your zone's maximum allowed density earn the per-unit grant. Example from the city: in the Urban Low-Rise Zone allowing 6 units, the threshold is 4.2, so units 5 and 6 would qualify.
When is the grant paid?
After construction is complete and the building permit's final inspection is closed, it is a reimbursement, not upfront funding.
Apply
Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there: