Province gives town $9.3 million for residential expansion

Essex MPP Anthony Leardi presents a cheque for $9.3 million to Mayor Michael Prue, town council and members of administration Aug. 22. The town received that much in grant funding under the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund.

New homes are going to be able to come to Amherstburg thanks to provincial funding.

Essex MPP Anthony Leardi promised a big announcement earlier in the week and delivered it Friday afternoon by announcing that the Town of Amherstburg received over $9.3 million - $9,306,990 to be exact – under the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF) to help with the building of approximately 1,101 homes in the southeast quadrant of town.

The annoucement was made at the Columbus Community Hall in Amherstburg.

Those lands are owned by four separate developers and are located near Lowes Side Road, Fryer St. and surrounding areas.

The $9.3 million will help with the installation of sanitary and potable water infrastructure within Amherstburg. It includes a new sanitary pumping station, a force main, sewers and watermain.

“We all know that housing has become more expensive for everyone. One of the main costs of housing is water systems,” said Leardi. “Things like sewer lines and water lines – those are very expensive to build.”

Leardi said the $9.3 million grant will help make it possible to build more homes in the Town of Amherstburg. He said the housing units that will be added could be of all types, including single family homes, semi-detached homes and multi-residential homes.

“The typical capital budget for the Town of Amherstburg is approximately $12 million to $13 million per year. That means the grant of $9.3 million equals the equivalent of approximately 70-75 per cent of Amherstburg’s annual capital budget,” the Essex MPP stated.

Building more homes means good things for local residents, Leardi indicated.

“We are building more homes. That means if you are a young couple, perhaps with a young family, and you want to buy a home in the Town of Amherstburg, we are making things better for you,” said Leardi. “And if you already live in the Town of Amherstburg and you already own your home, and maybe you want to downsize, we are making things better for you. You don’t have to leave the Town of Amherstburg to find a home.”

Leardi added: “You can find a home that’s right for you right here in the Town of Amherstburg. You can stay close to your family and friends. You can stay close to your children and grandchildren. You don’t have to move schools. You can stay right here and live in one of the nicest communities in Ontario.”

There will likely be a third round of funding municipalities can apply to, Leardi said, but it was “wonderful” to make this announcement in his hometown.

“It’s the best place to live in the Province of Ontario,” said Leardi.

Leardi added the town did “an excellent job” demonstrating the community could use the funding and that the fact that is already zoned for residential development was a key to the grant request being approved.

“That’s what made it attractive,” said Leardi.

Mayor Michael Prue said there is an obligation for the town to allow for the creation of more homes for its residents so they don’t have to leave the community.

“We’re just overjoyed,” said Prue. “This investment represents a major step forward for our community.”

Prue noted it is not just about putting in the infrastructure so that homes may be built, it is about growth, building strong communities and having a place where people want to raise their families.

“The southeast quadrant sanitary and potable water servicing project is a transformative step forward for Amherstburg, unlocking the largest remaining unserviced area within our settlement boundary and paving the way for over 1,100 new homes,” said Prue.

Like Leardi, Prue also pointed out the homes could be single family duplexes and fourplex units.

“With the addition of a new pumping station, 1.7-kilometers of watermain and over four kilometres of sanitary infrastructure, this investment lays the groundwork for sustainable growth,” the mayor stated.

Prue thanked Leardi for his “strong support” and pointed out that Leardi took on the cause when contacted by the town. The southeast quadrant has room for upwards of 4,000 new homes, he added, but was pleased to see that 1,100 are going to be able to move forward at this time.

One developer is getting ready to develop an 800-home subdivision, he added.

It was the second time that Amherstburg has applied for the funding, Prue added, and they didn’t give up after an initial rejection.

“We’re a feisty bunch,” said Prue. “Council and staff put in a new application.”

Municipalities would have a tough time finding the $9 million for such a project, he added.

Town council agreed last November to take another shot at the funding. A report at that time co-authored by deputy CAO Melissa Osborne and manager of engineering Todd Hewitt stated: “In February 2024, the province opened up the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF). The funding is to ‘help municipalities repair, rehabilitate and expand critical drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.’ Further ‘Projects funded through the program will aim to unlock more housing opportunities, support the province’s growing population, protect communities, and enhance economic growth.’ At that time the province committed to investing $825M over the next three years in this program by providing up to 73 per cent in funding for eligible costs.”

Prue said work can be done over the winter, such as engineering and planning work, but noted all that is required is site plan approval due to the lands already having the necessary Official Plan and zoning bylaw designations. He believed it could be as soon as Spring 2026 when residents might see construction work being done.

Amherstburg CAO Valerie Critchley delivers remarks at the grant announcement at the Columbus Community Hall in Amherstburg Aug. 22. Essex MPP Anthony Leardi and Mayor Michael Prue also addressed the group in attendance.

CAO Valerie Critchley pointed out the level of serving that will be able to be undertaken in the southeast quadrant. She said modern, dependable infrastructure will be able to be installed in those areas of Amherstburg and that reliable access to potable water will be able to be obtained.

“These lands have been earmarked for residential development in the Official Plan for over 25 years,” said Critchley.

The HEWSF is a stream of the Ontario government’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP). The province states that this round of funding brings the total number of homes enabled in Ontario through MHIP to approximately 800,000.

By Ron Giofu