Community Improvement Plan

Now Accepting Applications for the Supplementary Housing Incentive Programs

Please note that the application intake window for these programs may be adjusted at the Town’s discretion based on available funds, and that will be communicated through official Town channels and on this webpage.

Rendered exterior of garage with a second storey

Community Improvement Plan 

A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a planning and economic development tool under the Planning Act that municipalities use to encourage the revitalization of the community. These Supplementary Housing Incentive Programs will be provided funding on a rolling basis until dedicated funds are exhausted or until the programs are set to expire on December 4, 2028, whichever occurs first. 

The Community Improvement Plan Amendment can be viewed here: Community Improvement Plan.

Supplementary Housing Incentive Programs

Step 1: Intent to Apply

The first step to applying to the Housing Incentive Programs is completing the Intent to Apply Form online.

This form can also be printed and e-mailed to the Planning Team at planningteam@saugeenshores.ca, or dropped off at the Municipal Office (600 Tomlinson Drive, Port Elgin).

If you are not the Owner of the property in which the project is being proposed on, then an Owner Authorization Form is required to be completed and submitted as part of the Intent to Apply submission. 

Intent to Apply Form

Program Details: Saugeen Shores needs more rental homes, in more shapes and sizes. If you’re a landowner or developer with a serviced property zoned for residential use, this grant returns a portion of your development charges (DCs) when you build, redevelop, or make major renovations for rental housing. 

Incentive: Up to 50% of the Town’s DCs are returned to a maximum of $150,000 — whichever is less. The grant is based on what you owe after any exemptions or reductions. 

You may be eligible to apply to this program, if:

  • You meet the general eligibility criteria identified in Section 5.1 of the CIP and additional eligibility criteria (as applicable) identified in Schedule E: Section 4.
  • Your property is within the designated settlement area, serviced and zoned to allow residential use.
  • You are a property owner or developer seeking development, redevelopment, or adaptive reuse of a property for residential purposes. 

If your application is approved, how do you get the incentive?  

  • You enter into an agreement with the Town. 
  • You have no outstanding taxes, charges, or orders issued by the Town on the property.
  • You have completed the construction of the Purpose-Built Rental Units and have submitted the following information to the Town: 
    • Proof of occupancy (e.g., occupancy permit) 

Note: The Town reimburses the identified charges as a one-time grant, paid in full even if you’re still making installments under the Development Charges Act.

If you are interested in applying to this grant program, please fill out the Intent to Apply Form and a Town Staff member will follow-up to schedule a discussion. 

Program Details: Turn unused space into rental income. If you own and live on your property, this grant helps cover the cost of adding a basement apartment, garden suite, upstairs apartment, or living space within an accessory building. Rent it out to generate ongoing income while helping to meet Saugeen Shores’ need for more rental housing. 

Incentive: Grants are based on how many ARUs you build, up to a maximum of $30,000 per property: 

  • 1 ARU: $5,000
  • 2 ARUs: $7,500 per unit (up to $15,000)
  • 3 ARUs: $10,000 per unit (up to $30,000) 

You may be eligible to apply to this program, if: 

  • You meet the general eligibility criteria identified in Section 5.1 of the CIP and additional eligibility criteria (as applicable) identified in Schedule E: Section 4. 
  • Your property is within the CIPA, serviced and zoned to allow ARUs (subject to servicing provisions).
  • The primary unit on the property is owner-occupied and falls under one of the following three contexts:
    • Within a newly constructed residential dwelling; 
    • Within an existing residential dwelling; or
    • As a detached accessory building located on the same lot as an existing residential dwelling 

If your application is approved, how do you get the incentive? 

  • You enter into an agreement with the Town.
  • You have no outstanding taxes, charges, or orders issued by the Town on the property.
  • You retain responsibility for all construction costs and applicable permit fees incurred throughout the development process.
  • You complete the construction of the Additional Residential Unit(s) and have submitted the following information to the Town: 
    • Proof of occupancy (e.g., occupancy permit) 

Note: proposals for affordable ARUs that focus on accessibility, reflect the surrounding area’s character, and align with the Town’s pre-approved designs will be favourably considered. Click here to learn more about the Town's Ready-to-Build Housing Designs.

If you are interested in applying to this grant program, please fill out the Intent to Apply Form and a Town Staff member will follow-up to schedule a discussion. 

Program Details: Saugeen Shores needs more affordable housing that fits between single family homes and mid-rise apartment buildings: semi-detached homes, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, and low-rise multi-unit buildings. If you’re a landowner or developer with a serviced property zoned for residential use, this grant helps to alleviate some of the building costs. Build new, adapt an existing building, or convert a single-detached home — if your project creates at least three new affordable units. 

Incentive: The grant covers eligible costs for units priced at an affordable rate, up to $250,000 per project: 

  • Up to $50,000 per rental unit
  • Up to $30,000 per ownership unit 

You may be eligible to apply to this program, if:

  • You are a private sector landowner/developer actively seeking the development, redevelopment, or adaptive reuse of properties to deliver Affordable Missing Middle housing forms.
  • You meet the general eligibility criteria identified in Section 5.1 of the CIP and additional eligibility criteria (as applicable) identified in Schedule E: Section 4.
  • Your property is within the CIPA, serviced and zoned to allow ARUs (subject to servicing provisions). The project is a new construction or adaptive reuse of an existing building (i.e., converting a single-detached dwelling into multiple units).
  • The project aligns with the definition of Missing Middle housing (as per Schedule E: Section 1.4 of the CIP).
  • The proposed development creates a minimum of three (3) new Affordable Missing Middle housing units.
  • The project includes new rental and/or ownership units and is proposed to be no more than four storeys in height.

If your application is approved, how do you get the incentive? 

  • You enter into an agreement with the Town.
  • You have no outstanding taxes, charges, or orders issued by the Town on the property. 
  • You retain responsibility for all construction costs and applicable permit fees incurred throughout the development process.
  • You complete the construction of the affordable medium-density housing and have submitted the following information to the Town: 
    • Proof of occupancy (e.g., occupancy permit) 

If you are interested in applying to this grant program, please fill out the Intent to Apply Form and a Town Staff member will follow-up to schedule a discussion.

Program Details: You’ll pay site plan control and building or demolition permit fees along the way, and this grant reimburses a portion of them. It’s open to property owners and developers building new purpose-built rental housing—on its own or as part of a mixed-use development with commercial space—on a serviced property zoned for, or that allows, residential use. 

Incentive: Grants are applied to two types of Municipal fees: Site Plan Control Fee Grant and a Building or Demolition Permit Fee Grant.

If at least 20% of your rental units are priced at an affordable rate, the Town will reimburse 100% of the building permit fees for those units, on top of the amounts above. 

 You may be eligible to apply to these programs, if:

  • You are a non-profit or private-sector property owner or developer seeking development, redevelopment, major expansion, or adaptive reuse of eligible properties to accommodate Purpose-Built Rental Housing. 

The following grants can be applied to remaining market rate units (please select the program you are applying to):  

1. Site Plan Control Fees Grant:  

  • Maximum grant of $5,000 per property or the cost of the eligible Site Plan Control application fees, whichever is less.

If your application is approved, how do you get the incentive? 

  • You enter into an agreement with the Town.
  • You have no outstanding taxes, charges, or orders issued by the Town on the property.
  • Your Site Plan application is approved.

2. Building or Demolition Permit Fees Grant:  

  • Maximum grant of $30,000 per property or the cost of the combined eligible building permit fees, whichever is less.
  • You retain responsibility for all construction costs and applicable permit fees incurred throughout the development process.

If your application is approved, how do you get the incentive? 

  • You enter into an agreement with the Town.
  • You have no outstanding taxes, charges, or orders issued by the Town on the property.
  • For Building Permit:
    • Proof of occupancy (e.g., occupancy permit). 
  • For Demolition Permit:
    • The demolition is complete. 

Please note that there is a maximum of 1 grant per property (or combined properties if subject to the same application).

If you are interested in applying to this grant program, please fill out the Intent to Apply Form and a Town Staff member will follow-up to schedule a discussion.

Step 2: Pre-Application Meeting 

Once your Intent to Apply form is received and reviewed by the Town, you will receive a follow-up e-mail requesting a Pre-Application meeting to review the proposal and to discuss program eligibility. 

Step 3: Complete the Application Package 

Following a pre-application meeting with the Town, if deemed eligible, you will be provided with a fillable Application Form to complete and return to the Town within the application intake window.

A copy of the Application Package is provided below to provide an understanding of the application requirements.

Housing Incentives Application Form (office use only)

Step 4: Application Approval 

Upon completion of your application package and other identified requirements by the Town, you may be granted an award letter indicating the grant amount and potential conditions of approval. 

Background

Community Improvement Plan - Housing Incentives Update (2026)

The Town received funding through the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) program to review its existing Community Improvement Plan (CIP) and identify and assess potential housing-related incentives that could further support local housing objectives. Opportunities have been identified to expand housing-related incentives, and a Draft Community Improvement Plan Amendment was presented for public input at an initial public meeting on May 19, 2026. 

The CIP review process has evolved following Council direction at the June 8, 2026, Council meeting. At this time, direction was given to assess whether there were incentive gaps created from the removal of discretionary Development Charges. This review was presented and discussed at the August 24, 2026, Council meeting. 

A CIP amendment was presented at a Supplementary Public Meeting on Monday, September 21, 2026 that included a Housing Incentives Guide (HAF-funded Housing Incentives), and a Core Commercial Incentive Program. 

The Community Improvement Plan amendment was adopted by Council (see By-law 89-2026), and is now in effect following the statutory appeal period.  

Community Improvement Plan Update (2024)

The Community Improvement Plan was updated in 2024 (see By-law 67-2024) to set the framework for additional downtown improvements in both Southampton and Port Elgin. The CIP supports priority development and revitalization projects that align with many of the Town's, and the County of Bruce's, priorities, including: 

  • Revitalizing store fronts and streetscapes in our two downtowns (Port Elgin & Southampton) 

  • Reducing the number of vacant storefronts 

  • Increasing the number of affordable/attainable homes in Saugeen Shores 

  • Promoting the development of vacant or underutilized properties and encourage/attract investment 

  • Increasing projects that add value to the agricultural sector, promote agritourism, and improve facilities 

The CIP also aligns with Bruce County’s recently enhanced Spruce the Bruce program. 

Contact Us

Town of Saugeen Shores
600 Tomlinson Drive, P.O. Box 820
Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C0
Phone 519-832-2008
Toll Free 1-866-832-2008
Fax 519-832-2140