Housing Incentives Program

Per unit incentives vary depending on:

• Unit type (rental or ownership);
• Status of the organization applying (non-profit or private sector); and,
• Location of the development within the city.

Incentives are also available for acquisition and repair of existing rental buildings (see below).

The tax exemption percentage is determined based on the number of bedrooms in both the suite and the main unit. Units that receive this incentive must be used for long-term rental purposes for the duration of the tax exemption (i.e., not an Airbnb and not for commercial or personal use).

Secondary and backyard suites may be eligible for capital grants and tax exemptions if part of a larger affordable rental project in all areas of the city.

You can find all application resources in the “Related Documents” section on this page. Complete the appropriate application form for your project and any additional documentation required such as the Design and Development Criteria Scorecard, Project Description Spreadsheet, Statutory Declaration, etc. Applications may be submitted prior to a development or building permit being received. If the form requires you to provide your zoning information, please refer to the City’s interactive zoning map for support. Submit the form and all required documentation to CHS@regina.ca.

Incentives are available in different areas of the city, as follows. See the interactive map below for program areas.

New Market Housing

Applications may be submitted prior to a development or building permit being received. Applications for market housing will be reviewed as they are received. Applicants will be contacted by City staff within 2 to 3 weeks of application.

New Affordable Housing

Applications may be submitted prior to a development or building permit being received. Applications must be received before July 31 to be considered for the funding year. They will be reviewed and prioritized as follows:

• Applications from non-profit organizations (all Program Areas) and from private sector developers (Program Areas 1 and 2) will be reviewed and prioritized for funding using the Design and Development Scorecard between the start of the application period and July 31.
• Applications received between the start of the application period and April 30 will be evaluated together. A maximum of $750,000 of the annual capital grant funding will be allocated to these applications.
• Applications received between May 1 and July 31 will be evaluated together, along with eligible applications received before April 30 that did not receive a funding allocation. The remainder of the annual capital grant funding can be allocated to these applications.
• Applications from private sector developers (Program Areas 3 and 4) will be evaluated and prioritized for funding using the Design and Development Scorecard after July 31, based on remaining funding available
• If funding remains available after all applications have been reviewed, the City may accept applications and award funding on a first-come basis to eligible projects up to December 31 until funding is exhausted.

Acquisition & Repair of Existing Rental Buildings

Applications must be submitted prior to a development or building permit being received. Applications must be received before July 31 to be considered for the funding year. Applications received between the start of the application period and April 30 will be evaluated in May. Applications received between May and July 31 will be evaluated in August. Funding in each application period is allocated as follows:

• First, to projects intended to address an urgent issue related to the health and safety of occupants or the public, as identified in a building condition assessment, environmental assessment, building order, community standards order, other order, or the City.
• Second, to acquisition projects, renovation projects to create new dwelling units, and major repair projects, as defined in the Housing Incentives Policy, and minor repair projects related to accessibility for existing tenants.
• Third, to minor repair projects, as defined in the Housing Incentives Policy.
• Fourth, to risk mitigation projects, as defined in the Housing Incentives Policy.

Applications for projects intended to address an urgent issue related to the health and safety of occupants or the public, as identified in a building condition assessment, environmental assessment, building order, community standards order, other order, or the City, may be considered on a first-come basis.

If funding remains after all applications have been considered, the City may accept applications and award funding on a first-come basis to eligible projects up to December 31 until funding is exhausted.

Pre-development Grants

Pre-development grants will not be paid for activities already completed at the time of application. Applications must be submitted prior to a development or building permit being applied for. Consideration may be given to applications where pre-development work is requested by the City as part of a permit application. Applications for pre-development grants will be reviewed as they are received. Applicants will be contacted by City staff within 2 to 3 weeks of application.