Introduction
In response to the pressing need for more attainable and climate-resilient housing in the community, Lucan Biddulph, in partnership with Middlesex County, undertook a review of the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) as part of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) CIP review project. This initiative was focused on identifying opportunities to enhance the CIP to better support the development of attainable and sustainable housing options. Rather than establishing a new CIP, this project seeks to strengthen and expand the existing CIP programming already in place within Lucan Biddulph. To this end, the purpose of the amendments are to:
- revise CIP financial incentive programming to better support the creation of affordable, attainable, and sustainable housing in Lucan Biddulph;
- update language used throughout the document as it relates to affordable/attainable housing; and,
- implement minor revisions and technical updates to outdated sections of the CIP.
This document provides a summary of the proposed amendments to the CIP. More detailed information on the amendments can be found here:
https://www.lucanbiddulph.on.ca/articles/planning-public-notice/notice-public-meeting-oct-21-2025
What is a Community Improvement Plan?
A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is an economic development tool used by municipalities in Ontario to guide strategic investment, development, and revitalization initiatives that support the physical improvement of a municipality or areas within a municipality. This is typically accomplished through the implementation of a combination of financial grants and municipal leadership initiatives. The Lucan Biddulph CIP was adopted in 2021 and offers a range of financial incentives for community improvement projects.
Amendment Highlights
Legislative and Policy Updates
- Updated references throughout the CIP to reflect current planning policies and provincial legislation.
Grant Funding Increases
- Raised maximum construction cost grants for key programs to better reflect current building costs:
- Conversion, Expansion, & Redevelopment Program: Increased from $5,000 to $7,500.
- Additional Residential Unit Program: Increased from $5,000 to $7,500.
Restructured Affordable Rental Housing Unit Program
- Clearer program description and updated eligibility.
- Focuses on projects where at least 25% of units are affordable, as defined by the CIP.
- Three grant streams available:
- 100% of Building Permit and Planning Fees, up to $5,000.
- 50% of Professional Fees, up to $2,500.
- Annual Tax Increment Grant ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 per affordable unit, per year for 25 years, based on affordability levels. This stream uses future tax revenues resulting from the development to fund affordable housing creation.
- Development Charge (DC) reduction removed to align with provincial exemptions for affordable housing.
New Rental Housing Retrofit Program
- Supports sustainability, energy efficiency, and climate-resilient upgrades for existing multi-unit rental buildings, including both market and affordable units.
- Offers 50% matching grant, up to $5,000, for eligible projects.
- Eligible improvements include, but are not limited to, energy efficient HVAC systems, high-performance windows/materials, renewable energy systems, and smart energy monitoring.
Other Key Updates
- Added provisions to enable County participation and contributions to grant funding.
- Introduced performance monitoring indicators to track affordable housing progress.
- Modernized definitions of affordable housing to reflect current standards.
Why The Updates Matter
These updates to the Lucan Biddulph CIP provide a stronger, clearer framework for supporting housing projects that address both affordability and sustainability. The changes are designed to:
- Encourage the creation of new affordable rental housing and support retrofits that extend the lifespan and efficiency of existing buildings.
- Ensure alignment with provincial policies and modern affordability definitions.
- Make CIP programs more competitive and accessible to builders, non-profits, and private landlords while promoting climate-resilient construction.
- Support the Township’s long-term vision for sustainable growth and improved housing options for residents.
Next Steps / More Information
The updated CIP will be presented for public feedback at a Public Meeting on October 21, 2025, with final Council adoption expected in November 2025. Once approved, the updated programs and incentives will be available to eligible applicants starting in 2026.
Full details on the proposed amendments to the CIP can be viewed here: https://www.lucanbiddulph.on.ca/articles/planning-public-notice/notice-public-meeting-oct-21-2025
Requests for more information, as well as comments or questions, may be submitted in-person or by mail to 270 Main Street, Box 170, Lucan, ON N0M 2J0, or by email to:
Lisa deBoer
Economic Development & Communications Officer
Email: @email