Federal government tells Oakville to return $1.28M from housing accelerator deal

Oakville didn’t make good on its housing promise, so now the federal government wants its money back.

Housing Minster Sean Fraser and the federal government has ended its housing accelerator fund deal with the town and has begun the process to have its $1.28 million returned to them.

Oakville, led by Mayor Rob Burton, became the first municipality in Canada to breach its housing agreement with the government after Council rejected a motion to bring in “gentil density” policies.

The town had agreed to and signed a deal, which they would receive $25 million in total form the federal housing accelerator fund, to bring in four units of housing, “as of right,” and allow for greater density to build student housing for Sheridan College.

“We don’t need to risk our neighbourhoods’ livability for the small amount in the housing accelerator fund,” said Burton when he tabled the motion to reject the gentle density polices.

Oakville Council rejected the zoning changes that would have allowed four dwelling units on residential property across the town and allow four-story building heights within 800 metres of Sheridan College.

Oakville has already pledged by 2031/2032 to build 33,000 housing units to help with the current housing crisis.