Learn more about Cobourg's affordable and rental housing incentives

By Cecilia Nasmith

The Town of Cobourg's Planning and Development Division is hosting two open houses regarding the town's Affordable and Rental Housing Community Improvement Plan.

This plan was developed in response to the growing need for both affordable housing and for rental units within the town, as well as providing a way to help execute the Northumberland County and Town of Cobourg Affordable Housing Strategy. It is a strategic policy tool that can provide a suite of incentives for homeowners to address needs and priorities specific to their community.

“Incentive programs are specifically designed to help stimulate the development and availability of affordable and rental housing, including those projects that involve sustainable, accessible and brownfield-redevelopment components,” the announcement said.

To address Cobourg's housing shortage, a priority has been set to increase the supply of purpose-built rental housing, smaller units and secondary units (such as accessory dwellings or coach houses), mixed-income developments, and emergency and transitional housing.

Interested residents are invited to attend one of the two scheduled open houses to learn more about these CIP incentives – either Wednesday, Sept. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Cobourg Public Library (200 Ontario St.) or Thursday, Sept. 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Cameco Room B at the Cobourg Community Centre (750 D'Arcy St.). Both events are a drop-in format.

The 2022 intake for this program runs through Sept. 30. Those interested in learning more about the program can visit www.Cobourg.ca or call the Planning Department at 905-372-1005.