Bruce County will use information collected at a recent housing forum to develop a Housing Action Plan, expected to guide the county's actions on housing between 2024 and 2026.
Municipal leaders discussed the need, supply, and affordability of housing in Bruce County at the 2nd Annual Bruce County Housing Forum on April 11, 2024. The theme was collaboration, highlighting the importance of County and municipal staff working together on housing solutions.
Attendees agreed there is a need for other levels of government to invest in infrastructure and affordable housing builds, as well as make tools available to help the County and municipalities deliver affordable housing.
Staff and elected officials from the county's eight municipalities also had a chance to learn more about the newly established Community Development Office.
“We have created the Community Development Office to provide leadership on key strategic priorities in Bruce County, including the supply and affordability of housing. Claire Dodds, our Commissioner of Community Development, leads a team of County staff across several Departments who work together to undertake this important work,” said Chris Peabody, Warden of Bruce County.
Commissioner of Community Development Claire Dodds reviewed their recent projects, including completing a housing needs assessment, affordable housing toolkit, home share study, and updating zoning to permit additional residential units.
“Having a good understanding of the data on affordability and housing needs across Bruce County helps inform the priority actions the County can lead on housing,” Dodds said.
In Bruce County, the affordable housing thresholds for 2022/2023 were rents below $1,324 per month and ownership costs below $399,100. It is broadly accepted that housing is affordable when a household is not spending more than 30 per cent of its income on housing costs.