The Ontario government is awarding the City of Sarnia $400,000 after the municipality more than doubled its provincially designated housing target last year.
The funding comes from the second round of the Building Faster Fund, which rewards municipalities that reach at least 80 per cent of their housing goals. Sarnia broke ground on 164 new homes in 2024, reaching 198 per cent of its assigned target. The money will be used to support new housing and community infrastructure as part of the province’s plan to accelerate home construction while protecting Ontario’s economy by investing in infrastructure and keeping workers on the job.
“We’re working closely with Mayor Bradley and with local leadership in municipalities across Ontario to get more homes built faster,” Premier Doug Ford said Thursday in Sarnia. “Today’s investment is just the latest step we are taking to protect our workers and communities by supporting continued growth in Sarnia and across Ontario.”
The Building Faster Fund, announced in August 2023, is a three-year, $1.2-billion program designed to encourage municipalities to speed up approvals and advance housing construction. Municipalities that make significant progress receive funding to expand housing-enabling and community infrastructure. The province is also providing record support through initiatives such as the $4-billion Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said the investment reflects the community’s rapid growth and diverse population. “Sarnia is home to a fast-growing, diverse population, and this funding will help to ensure that we can meet the housing needs of current and future generations,” Bradley said. “We will continue working with our provincial partners to get shovels on the ground here and ensure every resident has a place they can proudly call home.”
Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack said the province’s new Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act is helping speed up construction timelines and reduce costs. “Our government’s latest legislation is a key step forward in our plan to reduce delays, speed up approvals and build more homes — faster — in partnership with Mayor Bradley and municipalities across Ontario,” Flack said. “Through the Building Faster Fund and our historic infrastructure investments, we’re giving municipalities every tool in our toolbox to deliver the homes families in Sarnia and Ontario need.”
Sarnia–Lambton MPP Bob Bailey said the city’s commitment to building new housing shows the impact of municipal and provincial collaboration. “The City of Sarnia’s dedication to increasing its housing supply is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together for a stronger Ontario. I applaud Sarnia for doing its part to deliver housing for all its citizens. The Ontario government will continue to partner with municipalities, equipping them with the resources they need to meet the demands of our growing population,” Bailey said.
According to provincial data, Ontario recorded 12,175 rental housing starts between January and July this year, an increase of 21 per cent over the same period in 2024 and the highest level on record for that timeframe. The government has also extended the timeline for municipalities to spend Building Faster Fund awards to 2028 in order to support long-term growth.
