Bruce County Council is going to consider endorsing a Housing Action Plan this week.
The plan for 2024 to 2026, includes 25 actions Bruce County will head to create the conditions to increase the housing supply and affordability in the county.
A report from Commissioner of Community Development Claire Dodds says, “like many communities in Ontario and Canada, Bruce County is challenged by the rising cost and availability of housing. To meet current housing needs, a wide range of actions need to be taken by all levels of government, agencies, non-profit organizations, and developers.”
The actions in the plan are geared towards increasing the supply and affordability of housing options, including facilitating community housing, below-market rental and ownership, and more affordable private rental and home ownership.
To make this plan work, Dodds says in the report the county is using the tools is has currently available as well as advocating to other levels of government for funding and support.
“The county does not have all the tools or funding to singularly solve current housing challenges. That said, the county does have the ability to impact county and local planning policies, implement process improvements, communicate information, provide education, establish incentives and provide concierge services that all contribute to creating local conditions have the potential to increase the supply and impact the affordability of housing,” says the report.
Additionally, the County Human Services Department, which is responsible for delivering affordable housing initiatives to prevent and address homelessness, is working on a new 10-year Housing and Homelessness Action Plan. The actions in the new plan will address homelessness, as well as emergency, transitional and supportive housing.
Council will consider endorsing the Housing Action Plan during its meeting on July 4 at 9:30 a.m.
