Community Improvement Plan to support housing, reinvestment and sustainable growth

The City of Belleville is offering financial help and incentives to property owners and non-profit organizations through its recently updated Community Improvement Plan (CIP). 

The CIP is designed to encourage projects that align with Council’s long-term vision for growth, including increasing housing supply, revitalizing the downtown core, redeveloping brownfield sites and improving quality of life across the city. 

The plan offers 15 distinct programs including a range of incentive tools, including grants, rebates and fee cancellations, to help offset the costs of development, redevelopment or remediation projects that deliver clear community benefits. 

Housing-focused CIP programs support priorities such as affordable and missing middle housing, gentle increases in density and reinvestment in existing neighbourhoods, including incentives such as the Accessory Dwelling Unit Rebate and the Missing Middle Per-Door Grant. Additional funding is also available through the federal Housing Accelerator Fund until Dec. 18, 2028. 

To further support housing-related investment, the City is working with its Economic Development team on a complementary toolkit that will provide additional guidance and resources for proponents. The toolkit is currently in development and will be shared once finalized. 

Downtown-focused programs support reinvestment in Belleville’s historic core by encouraging façade improvements, accessibility upgrades, signage enhancements and safety improvements, with additional supports available for designated heritage properties. 

“The Community Improvement Plan helps ensure growth happens in a way that reflects Belleville’s long-term planning goals and delivers real value for the community,” said Thomas Deming, Manager of Policy Planning with the City of Belleville. “Each program has clear eligibility criteria so that public incentives support projects that strengthen neighbourhoods, make better use of existing infrastructure and contribute to a more complete city.” 

Clear program guidelines and eligibility requirements help ensure transparency and accountability in how CIP funding decisions are made, while supporting projects that align with Council priorities and broader community objectives. 

Property owners, developers and investors are encouraged to review the full list of programs, eligibility requirements and application details at Belleville.ca/CIP.