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County releases report on affordable housing and homelessness prevention

August 1, 2025   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The County of Simcoe has released its eleventh annual report card to measure and evaluate the impact of the County’s affordable housing and homelessness prevention measures.

The 2024 annual report is considered an interim report between the previous ten-year strategy (2014-2024) and the County’s upcoming strategy.

The upcoming strategy is expected to begin later in 2025, subject to Ministry approval.

The previous ten-year strategy had a minimum goal of 2,685 new affordable housing units between 2014 and 2024. The County exceeded that goal ahead of time, attaining that goal by the end of 2022.

There were 3,250 new affordable homes by the end of that strategy period.

After that strategy concluded in 2024, the County and its partners continued investing in safe, affordable, and reliable homes for residents across the region.

A total of 442 additional spaces were added, bringing the total number to 3,692 since 2014.

“While we are proud of what we’ve accomplished, we know there is still more to do to create strong, inclusive communities where residents can thrive as we work to maintain affordability across our region,” said Warden Basil Clarke. “That’s why we are committed to continuing to work together to build up strong partnerships and take meaningful action to ensure that everyone in Simcoe County has a safe and welcoming place to call home.”

Highlights from the 2024 Annual Report:

• 50 new affordable housing units complete in Bradford West Gwillimbury;                                           

• Approval of 220 new mixed-income units in Barrie;                                                

• Proposed redevelopment of 30 new modular units in Collingwood;

• $2.6 million invested in capital repairs for SCHC housing;

• $3.3 million invested in urgent repairs for non-profit housing providers;

• $1.4 million distributed in rent supplements and housing allowances;

• $1.5 million allocated toward Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit rent supplements;

• $526,000 invested to create secondary suites in 2024.

Funding for the affordable housing strategy comes from a variety of sources, including the County of Simcoe, the cities of Barrie and Orillia, and governments of Canada and Ontario.

Moving into the next 10-year strategy (once approved by the Province and County Council), the County will continue to focus on supporting residents through maximizing funding, achieving targets, and working with area partners to create affordable housing units for residents across the County.

To download a copy of the 2024 Annual Report or for more information, visit simcoe.ca/ourahhps.

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