The report, Building Homes, Strengthening Communities: A Review of Municipal Housing Policy Best Practices Across the OnePoint Region, evaluates Bracebridge against ten nationally recognized housing best practices established by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Accelerator Fund framework. Bracebridge is experiencing sustained demand driven by in-migration and increased year-round residency. Since 2017, the average MLS® home price has increased significantly, rising from approximately $470,000 to $760,000 in 2025.

At the same time, missing-middle and purpose-built rental options remain limited and most mid-density projects continue to rely on site-specific rezonings.

Across the broader OnePoint region, housing starts have fallen by more than 50 percent since 2021, raising concerns about future supply in high-demand communities.
“Bracebridge is the heart of Muskokaʼs economy and public services, and housing options
must reflect that reality,” said Jennifer Morley, President of the OnePoint Association of
REALTORS®. “The Town has taken meaningful steps through digitized permitting, downtown incentives, and major redevelopment planning. The opportunity now is to expand as-of-right permissions and align incentives with the scale of year-round housing demand.”

The report finds that Bracebridge has taken meaningful steps to modernize its housing
framework, including digitizing permitting, strengthening intensification policy direction, and advancing the redevelopment of municipally owned lands with attainable housing potential.
Notably, Bracebridge has:
• Implemented Cloudpermit in 2024 to digitize applications, payments, inspections, and
status tracking
• Adopted Official Plan amendment in July 2025 to strengthen policy direction for
intensification and housing diversity
• Maintained an active Community Improvement Plan that includes a Housing Grant and
Loan Program in the downtown core and mixed-use areas

To keep pace with rising year-round demand and reduce the reliance on site-specific
rezonings, the report recommends the next phase of reforms that expand as-of-right
permissions, scale incentives beyond the downtown, and formalize partnerships that leverage municipal lands for attainable and rental housing. Specifically, the report recommends:
• Adopt four units as-of-right on serviced lots and pre-zone key corridors and nodes for
mid-rise and mixed-use development
• Establish a Municipal Land Disposition and Partnership Strategy to use surplus and
underutilized municipal lands to deliver measurable affordability outcomes
• Expand the Community Improvement Plan beyond the downtown to include town-wide
incentives for attainable and purpose-built rental housing

“Bracebridge has the opportunity to lead Muskokaʼs next phase of year-round housing
growth,” said Katrina Steffler, Chief Executive Officer of OnePoint. “By expanding as-of-right
permissions, using municipal lands strategically, and scaling incentives beyond the
downtown, the Town can help ensure that healthcare workers, service employees, and local
families can continue to live in the community they support.”

The full report, including detailed municipal scorecards and policy recommendations for
Bracebridge and nine other communities, is available at:
https://www.onepointar.ca/post/2026-housing-policy-report

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“The Per Door Grant Program is one of several initiatives the City is implementing to increase housing supply and improve affordability for residents,” said Mayor Don McIsaac. “This project will provide much-needed housing options for seniors, and we are proud to support Sionito Community Development Corporation in bringing it to life.”

The development will include:

• A four-storey apartment building
• 63 studio units
• 52 one-bedroom units
• Repurposing of the existing building into a communal dining hall and support services space
• Units designed for accessibility, with approximately 37 per cent fully accessible
• Housing focused on independent living in a supportive setting for seniors.

Funded through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Fund, the $1,042,075 Per Door Grant will be distributed in phases tied to key milestones such as construction start, framing, and occupancy. The program encourages non-profit and charitable organizations to create new affordable rental housing, providing financial incentives while requiring long-term affordability commitments.

“The Housing Accelerator Fund allows the City to accelerate affordable housing delivery,” said Katy Modaressi, Director of Development and Infrastructure Planning. “Grants like this are essential to meeting our housing targets and addressing the growing demand for rental options.”

For more information on the Per Door Grant Program or this project, visit orillia.ca/housing.

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The report, Protecting Northern Ontario for 1.3 cents on the dollar: Housing and health
integration to support a 34.6 billion economy, examines how the integration of housing
and health infrastructure supports the region’s $34.6 billion economy. The study,
building upon the results of January 2025 report “Municipalities Under Pressure: The
Human and Financial Cost of Ontario’s Homelessness Crisis”, shows that under current
conditions, homelessness in Northern Ontario will more than double by 2035, placing
increasing pressure on emergency departments, shelters, corrections and local labour
markets.

The study was conducted by HelpSeeker Technologies, in partnership with the Northern
Ontario Service Deliverers Association (NOSDA) and the Canadian Mental Health
Association (CMHA), Ontario.

This analysis builds on the Ontario-wide housing and homelessness investment case
set out in the 2025 and 2026 Municipalities Under Pressure reports, which identified an
approximately $11 billion housing investment required to change homelessness
trajectories. Those reports also noted that housing investment alone would not produce
durable outcomes without integration with other systems, including health. The
scenarios presented in the report examine how housing investment performs under
those conditions.

Analysis in the report demonstrates that investing in earlier intervention, combined with
housing across the continuum and operating funding for health and housing retention,
will lead to faster stabilization of the housing sector and fewer people entering
homelessness. According to the report, this stabilization investment would be
approximately $435 million or the equivalent of about 1.3 cents for every dollar
generated by Northern Ontario’s economy.

The investment scenarios examine how different investment choices affect
homelessness over time under Northern Ontario conditions, the modelling tests three
investment approaches over a 10-year period.

The difference between the 11-billion-dollar provincial ask and the Northern Scenarios
topping out at 5.1 billion, is the integration of health services including mental-health
and addictions supports that will affect homelessness levels over time.
Northern Ontario plays a key role in exports, natural resources, and critical minerals,
with more than $10 billion in goods exported annually, largely to the United States. The
provincial government has committed billions to resource development in the region,
including investments in critical minerals processing, Indigenous participation, and
transportation infrastructure.

The new report warns that capital investment alone is not enough. Communities must
be able to house and support the workforce required to deliver these projects and
housing investment must be integrated with mental health and substance use support to
be effective.

Northern Ontario is seeing a rapid rise in homelessness and significantly higher rates of
mental health and substance-related harms, with related emergency department visits
two to four times above the provincial average.

“Housing instability and unmet health needs are no longer just social issues – they are
economic risks,” said Michelle Boileau, Mayor of Timmins, and Chair of NOSDA. “They
can undermine labour attraction, retention and productivity at the very moment when
Northern Ontario is expected to deliver on major public and private investments.”

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the Ontario Municipal Social
Services Association (OMSSA), and the Northern Ontario Service Deliverers
Association (NOSDA) also released a report this week Municipalities Under Pressure
One Year Later: The Human and Financial Cost of Ontario’s Homelessness Crisis. This
report shows the number of people experiencing homelessness in Northern Ontario
rose from 5,930 to 8,142 in the past year, an increase of more than 37 per cent as
compared to 7.8 per cent provincially. Since 2021, homelessness in the north has
increased by approximately 117 per cent, more than double the provincial rate. While
Northern Ontario represents five per cent of Ontario’s population, it now accounts for
nearly 10 per cent of all known homelessness in the province.

Housing shortages, long wait times for community housing and limited access to health
and mental health services are already making it harder to attract and retain workers,
particularly in smaller and remote communities. Average waits for community housing
can be more than three years, with some communities reporting waits of 10 years or
more. The community housing waitlist in Northern Ontario increased from 8,855
households in 2018 to 13,104 households in 2025, a 48 percent increase.

“Investing in stronger social supports is necessary for our economic protection,” said
Boileau. “It will reduce reliance on shelters, emergency departments, hospitals, and
other high-cost responses in our communities.”

Local lens (District of Parry Sound):

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Canadore College Personal Support Worker (PSW) students are becoming familiar with their future work environment before graduation. They’re taking part in the new Living Classroom program and honing their skills with seniors at Eastholme, Home for the Aged in Powassan and the West Nipissing General Hospital.

“It’s one thing to learn in theory, another to do simulations, and a completely different thing to do real-life practice,” said PSW student Jacky Okafor.

“This program provides a great opportunity for students to learn while also gaining practical experience,” said Odelia Callery, Eastholme Administrator. “It allows for the students to understand our philosophy and approach to delivering great care.”

The Living Classroom is a collaborative model designed to integrate education directly into long-term care and retirement homes, supporting workforce development in senior living. In this model, students, faculty, residents, visitors, and staff actively participate in a shared learning environment, fostering a culture of collaboration and skill-building.

“This initiative has provided an opportunity for Canadore to strengthen our existing partnerships that work with us to deliver our nursing programs while enhancing the much-needed human resource capacity in the rural communities,” said Dr. Letitia Nadalin-Penno, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Studies and Health Science.

First implemented in southern Ontario, this initiative was created through a partnership between Conestoga College, the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, and Schlegel Villages.

“This approach not only reinforces students’ understanding of the role of the PSW, but also builds their confidence and practical skills,” said Nancy Bush, Program Coordinator and Professor at Canadore College. “By applying what they’ve learned under supervision, they can bridge the gap between theory and practice, making the learning experience more impactful and relevant. It also fosters collaboration and mentorship, enhancing their ability to work in teams. Overall, it’s a win-win for both students and host facilities.”

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A new CIBC poll finds that entry to the housing market feels out of reach for the majority (76 per cent) of Canadians who don’t own property, yet half of all non-owners (56 per cent) say they are still holding on to the goal of one day owning their own home.

Among non-owners, overpriced markets (70 per cent) and the inability to save for a down payment (63 per cent) are cited as the main barriers to achieving their homeownership goal. At the same time, only 28 per cent of non-owners say they are currently saving for a down payment.

“Housing affordability is a challenge across the country and many Canadians could use guidance on how to make their homeownership dream a reality,” said Carissa Lucreziano, Vice-President, Financial Planning and Advice, CIBC. “About 80 per cent of those we surveyed said they need advice to help them navigate the market. Working with a trusted advisor can help prospective buyers get a clear picture of their financial situation through customized planning and recommendations, providing a realistic pathway to achieving their homebuying ambitions.”

Homeowners indicate they are taking prudent steps to manage mortgage payments now and down the road. Half of variable rate mortgage holders (51 per cent) say they’ve been cutting back on everyday expenses, while 21 per cent are putting lump sum payments toward their mortgage.

Meanwhile, the majority of homeowners with fixed rate mortgages are preparing themselves as their mortgages come up for renewal in the next two years. Many (45 per cent) of them anticipate they’ll cut back on daily expenses, while 34 per cent say they plan to shop around for the best rates.

• 55 per cent of non-owners say they’ll only be able to afford a new home with an inheritance or gift from their family.
• 48 per cent of Canadians are considering moving outside a major city to get more for their money.
• 26 per cent of Canadians say they would consider buying a home with friends to afford homeownership.

These findings are from a Maru Public Opinion online survey undertaken exclusively for CIBC and fulfilled by the sample and analyst experts at Maru/Blue. The results were produced in two waves among a random sample of Canadian adults who are Maru Voice Canada panelists and then weighted to be representative of the Canadian adult population. Each probability samples of each size carry with them an estimated margin of error (which measures sampling variability). Wave 1 was among homeowners with either a fixed (n=154 +/-7.9%) or variable (n=131 +/- 8.6%) mortgage, and among those who intend to purchase a new home in the next two years (n=396 +/-4.9%) from February 23-27, 2024. Wave 2 was among 1526 Canadians (+/- 2.5%) from February 28-29, 2024.

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The SHS informs Muskoka District Council on how second home households are used, how they may be used in the future, trends on individual needs and how second homeowners participate in the local economy. The information gathered is used to inform the District’s Growth Strategy and Development Charge Background Study and to forecast long term capital needs.

The study also provides valuable information to a wide variety of stakeholders including the Province, area municipalities, agencies (e.g. Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit), ratepayer groups (e.g. lake associations), and businesses throughout Muskoka.

The Results Are In!

The District would like to thank everyone who completed the 2023 SHS survey. A total of 5,952 survey responses were received – the largest number of responses since the study’s inception in 1973!

“We heard you – thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and experiences with us. The valuable insights we received from our Second Home Survey will fuel our efforts to enhance the quality of life in Muskoka,” – Jeff Lehman, District Chair.

Muskoka District Council received the final report Monday, July 17th, 2023.  Below are a few highlights from the report:

Survey Highlights:

• The seasonal population across Muskoka has decreased by 0.56% since 2017 (81,907 to 81,452), however the combined permanent and seasonal population has grown a cumulative 4% (142,506 in 2017 and 148,126 in 2023).
• 48% of the seasonal population is 55+ in age.
• 43% of second home households earn over $200,000 annually, a 4% increase since 2017.
• 10.6% of second homeowners cited Muskoka as the location of their permanent residence.
• 96.7% of second homes in Muskoka are located on waterfront property.
• 10.3% of respondents from the survey plan to make their second home their permanent home in the future, with an average of 6 years until their planned move.
• 11% of second homes are rented in Muskoka, which has increased from 7.3% in 2017 with an average annual rental period of 7.7 weeks per year.

Learn More

You can view the 2023 Second Home Study on the District’s website at the following link: www.muskoka.on.ca/shs.

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The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) today released Home
Stretched: Tackling Ontario’s Housing Affordability Crisis Through Innovative Solutions and Partnerships, a policy brief that includes a case study of a conceived-in-Muskoka approach to the problem.
The brief outlines opportunities for the private, public, and non-profit sectors to explore innovative partnerships and approaches to address housing affordability and supply, and recommendations to build on successful models.

“Our Chamber thanks RTO12’s Kate Monk who helped inform this policy by representing us (and her RTO12 region) at stakeholder meetings led by the OCC,” says Norah Fountain, Executive Director, Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a good example of how our partners can help our local business voice bebetter heard – and how forward-thinking remedies are being conceived by local partners.”

Monk is Vice-President, Strategy & Corporate Programs for Explorers’ Edge and has been a champion for A Regional Tourism Work-Integrated Housing Ecosystem, what Explorers’ Edge calls their Catalyst Housing project. Seeing approaches like this put into action cannot come soon enough in Fountain’s opinion.

“The housing crisis in Ontario has reached a critical point, with significant challenges related to both affordability and supply,” says Fountain. “Muskoka is not immune to these pressures and it’s very possible that our region has been hit hardest. We’ve been sounding the alarm about a lack of staff housing for decades and about the prospect of a looming housing crisis for all. Now we’re past that point. Attracting and retaining labour has become so hard because of it. At the same time, higher housing costs leave less income available to spend on other goods and services, which directly affects our community’s long-term economic growth.”

The policy brief provides all levels of government and industry with recommendations under the following themes: Labour and Demographics, the Housing Continuum, and Infrastructure and Land Use Planning.

Key policy recommendations include:

• Continue to establish and deliver on inclusive workforce development and immigration strategies to increase the labour pool needed to build more housing.
• Incentivize the development and preservation of affordable housing options along the continuum, including purpose-built rentals, missing middle, student, non-profit, cooperative, and
supportive housing.
• Support the development and expansion of innovative technologies, data tools, retrofitting, building conversions, as well as mixed-use and climate-resilient green housing.

“The growing mismatch between housing supply and demand in communities across Ontario has made it more difficult for employers to fill labour gaps, particularly as the global competition for talent heats up,” says Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “To ensure the long-term resilience of our economy, we encourage governments to balance consultation with bold action, such as ending exclusionary zoning and working in partnership with public and private sector partners to address labour shortages.”

To help inform this brief, the OCC led a series of regional housing affordability roundtables with a diverse range of housing sector stakeholders. The Muskoka Lakes Chamber was proud to contribute to the OCC’s Housing Affordability Initiative with help from Monk of Explorers’ Edge and looks forward to working with all levels of government and industry to meet the housing needs of our communities.

Housing affordability is a pressing issue impacting communities of all sizes across Ontario. High housing costs are limiting the buying power of households, impacting businesses’ ability to attract and retain talent, and exacerbating homelessness rates throughout the province. The Government of Ontario has committed to
building 1.5 million new homes by 2031 to help mitigate this crisis. This goal will require strategic action and significant collaboration across sectors and all levels of government.

The OCC would like to thank its Lead Partner, Desjardins, and Presenting Partners, Cadillac Fairview, and the Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario, for their vital collaboration.

The post All Hands On Deck Needed To Address Ontario’s Housing Crisis appeared first on Muskoka411.

After a rigorous selection process that included a review of more than 90 submissions, criminal and financial background checks, reference checking, interviews, and home visits, two families were given the news this week that would shape their futures.

Originally from Quebec, Hélène is no stranger to Muskoka. Before her current position at Clear Lake Village Resort in Torrance, she worked for 12 years in Bala. After the breakdown of a long–term relationship, Hélène knew she had to find a new living situation for herself and her 14–year–old daughter, Simona.

“We’ve looked at 20 apartments since January,” says Hélène. “Everything in our area is in the $2500 range. That’s half of what I make. And that only covers rent – not utilities, food, car expenses, or any hope of saving for Simona’s college fund. Last week we saw a place in Gravenhurst that was $2000 for a basement apartment with one door, one window, and one bedroom. It feels like it’s impossible.”

Neighbours to Hélène and Simona will be Jacey and Darius. They were living in student housing while Jacey completed her Bachelor’s degree in Education. They faced similar challenges in finding an affordable place to live. The couple has been sharing a house with three roommates in a neighbourhood recognized as a ‘high crime area’ in the town in which Jacey attended university. Their biggest worry was not having a place to go after graduation when Jacey would no longer be eligible to live in student accommodation.

“Our options were limited,” says Jacey. “Our lease ending on May 31st meant there was a big unknown for us moving forward. Finding housing isn’t easy, and it’s so expensive. We’d looked at apartments throughout Muskoka, and we’d applied to the District of Muskoka for social housing. Our Plan B was to move in with Darius’ parents in the Haliburton area, which would mean we were closer to Muskoka, but that would create a very overcrowded living situation.”

Says Kimberley Woodcock, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North, “The statistics are shocking. According to the Canadian Rental Housing Index, Muskoka residents spend an average of 60% of their household income on rent and utilities. This puts Muskoka in the ‘severely unaffordable’ category. So, the work we do to provide opportunities for affordable housing is critical. We would like to express our gratitude to the volunteers of the Muskoka Lakes Adopt–A–Home Committee for their partnership in this project. Their support has been invaluable.”

For both families, Bala is exactly where they would like to put down roots. Hélène can see a future for herself and her daughter here. “I love Bala. I have lots of friends here – people who understand and can listen in tough times. Simona can stay in the same school. I can go to work knowing she’s close enough to walk to the store or to see her friends. And instead of putting money into rent, I can put money towards a home that I can grow old in and can actually afford on the salary I make. It will change my life. It will give me a life. You have given me a life.”

For Jacey and Darius, small–town living and the chance for Darius, an apprentice plumber, to live closer to where he works would be a dream. Moving to Bala means a huge reduction in an almost four–hour–a–day commute and an increased work–life balance. Jacey has been accepted as a substitute teacher in the district, and the couple can’t wait to set up home in the area. Long–time volunteers, they look forward to continuing this tradition in their new community.

At hearing the news that they’d been selected, Jacey was at a momentary loss for words. “Through all our struggles, this means we can grow together. And we do not take for granted all the hard work you at Habitat for Humanity have done. You’re amazing people. Thank you so, so much for this opportunity. We will not let you down.”

To date, Habitat OGN has served 59 families since 2002, including approximately 124 children. The organization is currently planning more affordable housing projects for the region, with details to be announced shortly.

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