Pre-consultation with Planning Department staff is strongly encouraged and recommended as a routine business practice for potential investors/developers seeking development approval from the City. Early pre-consultation will allow the Planning Department to ensure that all relevant planning policies and regulations have been conveyed to the applicant early in the process including expected timelines for approval. Doing so early in the process may also save time in the long run because early feedback from the City presents an opportunity for the proponent to refine proposed concepts prior to submitting a formal application, and avoid costly delays down the road.

Pre-consultation may also help to streamline the development review process once applications have been submitted. Reviews and approvals can be coordinated for complex affordable housing projects in an effort to minimize the length of time it takes to obtain final approval from the City. Staff can also assist with coordinating planning and construction with the requirements of the grant programs offered by other levels of government.

Additionally, a formal pre-consultation process that includes the Housing Services Department would help potential affordable housing developers to identify the specific and current housing gaps in Windsor. The Housing Services Department has access to the social housing waiting list data to assist developers in the type of housing most in need and can offer guidance on the Provincially and Federally funded programs that can be leveraged to assist with the financial viability of an affordable housing project.

For major development affordable housing applications, the City could also explore procedural and other time-related incentives such as, scheduling extra or single-agenda-item City Council meetings, and/or assigning administrative staff dedicated to expedite the review and processing of affordable housing applications.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Programs

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is the lead in delivering National Housing Strategy Initiatives over the next 10 years by offering funding opportunities for new construction and repair/renewal to local private and non-profit organizations with the purpose of increasing the housing stock or sustaining the existing affordable housing supply. A summary of the CMHC includes: