Streamline Development Approval Fund
On January 19, 2022, the Ontario government announced more than $45 million for a new Streamline Development Approval Fund (SDAF). The fund is geared towards improving municipal development approval processes with the goal of streamlining residential development applications in Ontario. The funding can be used to modernize, streamline and accelerate processes for managing and approving housing applications and must be applied to four streams of funding:
- consulting fees related to process improvements,
- costs associated with implementing e-permitting systems,
- data or workflow improvements,
- and diversity internships.
Greater Sudbury’s current and future focus on residential development is well aligned with the Province’s goal of streamlining residential development, including the City’s Affordable Housing Strategy. Projects that have been approved, funded and are underway using SDAF funding include the implementation of LMIS Phase 1, which would see Building Services and Planning Services move to an e-permitting system, policy development focused on facilitating secondary units, as of right zoning and natural heritage, GIS data improvements and temporary staff to expedite development approvals. The SDAF provides a unique opportunity for the City to leverage Provincial funding to make further improvements to development streamlining.
A final report must be submitted to the province outlining how funds were spent, and measures or actions expected to be achieved. As part of the funding agreement, Greater Sudbury is also required to publicly post the report, which can be found below.
Reports
2022 – Streamline Development Approvals Fund
2023 – Streamline Development Approvals Fund Update