The Town of Amherst has approved 149 new housing units since 2025 as part of a push to address regional housing needs. Following the adoption of an updated Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw in March 2026, the town is moving toward a goal of 400 new units by 2028.
These planning updates are designed to make residential development more flexible by increasing density allowances and removing barriers for builders. This initiative is a central focus for the Town of Amherst under the leadership of Mayor Rob Small, who was elected in October 2024.
Several projects and funding agreements are currently underway to support this growth. The town secured over $2 million through the federal Housing Accelerator Fund to streamline the construction of 67 homes, with projections to encourage the creation of 300 additional homes over the next decade. Furthermore, a project known as The Groves at Hillsdale recently received over $6.4 million in combined federal and provincial funding. This development is expected to provide 47 units featuring a mix of rental and ownership options.
Infrastructure development is also advancing, including the purchase of 15 acres on Marshview Drive for $400,000. This project will create 30 building lots, with work already beginning on the first 10 lots. Additionally, the town is expanding the local business park by over 120 acres to support job growth, supported by a $2.5 million infrastructure investment.
As the town continues to prioritize these housing goals, officials noted in the 2026-2027 budget that residential and commercial tax rates will remain unchanged. To provide further support to residents, the income threshold for the town’s tax relief program has been raised to $32,000.
