Thursday, August 27, 2026
Hamilton has secured $572 million in federal and provincial funding to accelerate major infrastructure projects that will improve roads and connections, expand water and wastewater capacity and help make new housing possible, alongside a three-year elimination of development charges on new residential developments.
This federal and provincial funding, provided through the Development Charge Reduction Program, is the single-largest investment in roads, water and wastewater infrastructure in Hamilton’s history.
The City’s three-year elimination of development charges on new residential developments will reduce the cost of building new homes, with savings of up to $100,442 per home that is meant to be passed on to new homebuyers.
“This is a historic investment in Hamilton’s future and one I have worked hard as Mayor to make happen. It represents the single largest investment in roads, water and wastewater infrastructure in our city’s history, and I welcome the support of our provincial and federal partners,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath. “We know Hamilton needs more housing. That means creating the conditions to get more homes built, support local construction and get people back to work, while making housing more affordable for Hamiltonians. By eliminating residential development charges for three years and investing in the infrastructure our growing communities need, we can get shovels in the ground, increase housing supply and reduce costs for people looking to call Hamilton home.”
These investments will benefit Hamilton’s growing communities by supporting infrastructure projects, including:
Better connections between neighbourhoods and easier travel: Barton Street (Fruitland Road to Fifty Road) will be widened and reconstructed to create a new multi-modal corridor, with construction expected to begin in 2029. Lewis Road (Highway 8 to Barton Street) will be reconstructed and urbanized, with construction expected to begin in 2027. Together, these projects will create stronger connections between neighbourhoods.
Less time spent getting where residents need to go: Widening Rymal Road (Glancaster Road to Upper Paradise Road and Upper James Street to Dartnall Road) and Garner Road (Wilson Street to Glancaster Road) will improve connections between neighbourhoods, making it easier for people to travel by car, transit, bike or on foot, access services and get where they need to go each day. Provincial funding will help construction begin on the Rymal Road project in 2028.
More room for future communities: Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion will increase capacity to accommodate up to 97,000 additional homes, helping Hamilton plan for long-term growth and ensuring future communities have the infrastructure they need. Construction is expected to begin in 2028.
More capacity for new housing: Greenhill Water Pumping Station upgrades will increase capacity to accommodate up to 4,400 additional homes, helping support new housing and growth in Hamilton. Construction is expected to begin in 2027.
As an initial step to increase the supply of housing and local construction employment, the City implemented a temporary development charge reduction program. In September 2025, the City began applying it to all new residential and non-residential developments across Hamilton. This measure reduces development costs and supports the City’s to improve housing affordability.
“Today’s investment will support new transportation and housing infrastructure across the city, enabling the construction of tens of thousands of new homes. Congratulations to Mayor Horwath and Hamilton City Council for demonstrating incredible leadership and working with us to bring the dream of home ownership within reach for Hamilton families,” said Premier Doug Ford.
In March 2026, Ontario and the federal government agreed to a cost-matched structure to provide a combined $8.8 billion over 10 years for infrastructure investments in Ontario, with Canada’s share of the funding flowing through the Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF). The two governments also agreed to remove the full HST on new homes from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, saving homebuyers up to $130,000 off the cost of a new home. This is in addition to cost reductions for new homes through the DCRP.
Featured image: (City of Hamilton)
