Muskoka Housing Task Force

The Muskoka Housing Task Force 2.0 (MHTF 2.0) is a dynamic group of community members, Municipal Councillors, and staff from the District and Muskoka’s Area Municipalities who are dedicated to supporting the creation and maintenance of affordable and attainable housing in Muskoka. We are your neighbours, your community representatives, and your advocates for housing solutions.

The MHTF 2.0 functions as an advisory body to the District and explores and recommends strategies and opportunities for a range of housing options across Muskoka. We recognize that solving the housing crisis will take multi-levels of government and community wide efforts - we cannot do this alone. Our role is to advocate and drive forward changes collaboratively. We believe in a community that includes housing for everyone.

What We’ve Accomplished?

The Task Force has met 3 times since its relaunch in September 2023. Since that time we have worked to prioritize the investigation and pursuit of several key initiatives for the short term, including but not limited to:

1. Secondary Suites (now being referred to as Additional Residential Units);
2. Municipal Tools and Incentives; and
3. Land Trusts.

In addition to achieving consensus on key short-term priorities, the MHTF 2.0 has committed to learning as a group. We have had an invited presentation from the Muskoka Community Land Trust, and we have developed an understanding of the great work that was accomplished by our MHTF 1.0 predecessors and the work that has been done by Area Municipalities and the District to advance those initiatives.

What’s Next?

The Task Force is now in the process of developing recommendations to Council on enhancements to a key District housing program – more to follow on this when program changes are finalized!

The MHTF 2.0 is looking forward to its next meeting on February 29, 2024, and is committed to keeping our community updated on our work!

Wednesday, October 4th, 2023 (Muskoka, ON) The inaugural meeting of the Muskoka Housing Task Force 2.0 took place last Thursday, September 28^th at the District of Muskoka Administration Office in Bracebridge, and welcomed a refreshed membership of community members, stakeholders, Municipal staff, and elected officials who will work together to support the creation and maintenance of affordable and attainable housing in Muskoka.

“The energy in the room couldn’t be beat,” said Housing Task Force Chair Peter Kelley. “Our new membership brings a wealth of lived experience, expertise and passion that will drive forward the recommendations of the Muskoka Housing Task Force 1.0. It is abundantly clear that this Task Force is committed to identifying real solutions that will address the housing crisis here in Muskoka, and we are eager to share our story and progress with our community as it unfolds”.

What’s Next?

• Task Force members are working to prioritize a list of short-term projects that will work to quickly increase availability of Muskoka’s affordable housing stock.
• While not exclusive, potential projects discussed at the meeting include further exploration of head leases, secondary suites, vacant building inventory, development/developers concierge service and fast-tracking affordable housing development applications.

Stay Engaged

We invite the Muskoka community to actively stay informed and follow Task Force updates by visiting the Muskoka Housing Task Force 2.0 project page on Engage Muskoka at: https://www.engagemuskoka.ca/muskoka-housing-task-force. Here, you can also sign up to receive Task Force updates right to your inbox.

Task force updates will also be shared with the community via the District’s social media channels.

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Investing in housing solutions for Muskoka. It’s what we do.

The District of Muskoka is made up of six area municipalities and is responsible for delivering critical public services and programs to residents in our community. Visit our website at www.muskoka.on.ca

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Recruitment is currently underway for community representatives to join the Muskoka Housing Task Force (MHTF). We are looking for members who have a demonstrated commitment to affordable housing in Muskoka.

MHTF 2.0 members will need to have the ability to dedicate a significant amount of time to implementing the creative ideas and to build on the work done by their predecessors, with a focus on taking action to move the projects into the next phase. While there are a limited number of seats on the MHTF 2.0 for community members, there will be many exciting opportunities for passionate community members and advocates to engage in other capacities.

If you are interested in joining the MHTF 2.0, please apply by Friday, June 30, 2023 at the following link:

APPLY NOW

Generally, when we refer to affordable housing, we are referring to housing that costs less than 30% of a household’s income before tax.

For example, if a household earns $60,000 a year before tax, that household should spend less than $18,000 a year (or $1,500 a month) on total housing costs for the housing to be considered affordable.

Affordability is only one piece of the puzzle, and that is why the Muskoka Housing Task Force is focused on attainable housing opportunities.

Attainable housing refers to housing that is Adequate in condition (no major repairs needed) Appropriate in size (bedrooms appropriate for household) Affordable (costing less than 30% of before-tax income) Accessible to Services (located in areas where common services are available) and Available (a range of housing types).

The more pieces missing, the more unstable housing becomes.

The District Municipality of Muskoka has launched a new Attainable Head Lease Program to help residents access attainable housing in Muskoka.

Through the program, the District will work with private rental property owners and builders to secure residential units in the private market. The District can then make these units available at affordable rental rates consistent with current Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation market rates and provide ongoing support to landlords and tenants to achieve successful tenancies.

If you are interested in this partnership opportunity, and the potential to achieve reliable long term rental income, please consider submitting a brief proposal. Funding is available for more than one partnership. RFP closes on Friday, September 10, 2021.

Read the full release here: https://www.muskoka.on.ca/en/news/district-seeks-commercial-partner-for-attainable-housing-head-lease-program.aspx

Key Concept: The “Housing Continuum”

The housing continuum shows a range of options for housing based on the needs and incomes of residents in a community.

At one end of the housing continuum are people living in crisis who may be homeless or utilizing shelters. At the other end, there are independent renters or homeowners. In between these two ends are people who are paying their own rent but with a form of assistance or subsidy provided by a governing body or charitable organization.

People may stay where they are, or they may also move through the housing continuum. When they move, space opens in their previous position for others to move into (like a ripple effect!)

Examples of the current housing developments in Muskoka:

Home for Good (HFG) – HFG is a form of Transitional Housing (see the orange bar on the continuum graphic) located at 49 Pine St. Bracebridge. This new build will house 12 young adults in Muskoka who may currently be utilizing emergency shelters or who are homeless. The new build will also provide 5 single affordable rental units (see dark blue bar on the continuum graphic) for people in our community. Increasing the supply of transitional housing, can open up space in emergency shelters and move individuals out of homelessness. Transitional housing programs provide access to supports and services to help individuals move towards stable housing solutions.

Alexander Muskoka Property – A form of Subsidized Market Rent (see the dark blue bar on the continuum graphic) located on 520 Isaac Street Gravenhurst. This new build will bring 100+ retirement suites to seniors in Muskoka. The District worked with the builder and committed funding for 12 of the units to be set at affordable rental rates. When we increase the supply of subsidized market rents, we lessen the strain put on existing social or community housing (which has a very long waitlist). In addition, by setting units at affordable rates, we create more attainable housing in our community.

There is a housing crisis in Muskoka, and great things are happening in our communities and by the Muskoka Housing Task Force to help address it.

The Task Force has been coming together for just over two years to network, create partnerships, and discuss how to increase access to housing in Muskoka.

We’ve learned about existing and alternative housing models, discussed development processes, examined funding models, and identified key concepts to understanding housing in our communities.

Over the coming weeks, you will see more information and updates from the Task Force on the District’s social media platforms and shared by Task Force members.

Watch for posts on the District's social media channels tagged “Muskoka Housing Task Force 101” “Muskoka Housing Task Force – Did You Know?” and “Muskoka Housing Task Force – Make the Connection”. These posts will help you better understand housing needs in our communities, what is happening in Muskoka to support increased access to housing, and what you can do to help.

Stay Informed!

From this page, you can subscribe to receive Task Force updates and information right to your inbox! Just look for the big megaphone on the upper right-hand corner of your desktop monitor, or scroll down on a mobile device and enter your email address to subscribe.

Thank you for following along and connecting with us as we navigate opportunities to help increase housing for everyone.