Build on Collingwood’s Tradition
Victory Village, innovative multiplex housing, the High Street initiative, the Affordable Housing Task Force and the Affordable Housing Master Plan provide a foundation for the next Council.
Why This Matters
Housing is more than a roof over our heads. It creates opportunity, supports families, strengthens employers and helps build complete communities.
The Opportunity to Build a Future
Two years after Jan and I were married, we were expecting our first child while I was attending Georgian College. Pretty River Villas Co-operative Housing gave our young family the opportunity to establish roots, raise our children and build our future in Collingwood. Housing is not simply about buildings. It is about giving families the opportunity to build their future.
Support the Housing Continuum
Different solutions are needed for emergency shelter, supportive housing, workforce housing, rental housing, home ownership and seniors’ housing.
Build Community Support
Housing succeeds when residents understand why it is needed, how it fits into neighbourhoods and how it benefits the community.
Vision for Collingwood — Publication No. 7: Housing for a Growing Collingwood.
Understanding the Housing Challenge
Those Who Work Here Should Be Able to Live Here
Teachers, nurses, tradespeople, first responders, municipal employees, hospitality workers, entrepreneurs and young families should have realistic opportunities to build their future in the community they serve.
Infrastructure Enables Housing
Housing depends on water, wastewater, transportation and other enabling infrastructure. Growth must be supported responsibly, consistent with PP01, PP04 and PP05.
Build on Recent Progress
The recently announced CHIPP program and “What’s Possible for Collingwood” campaign appear promising and deserve careful evaluation as they move from announcement to implementation. Programs should be judged by results.
Housing Partners
Town of Collingwood
Provides planning certainty and invests in enabling local infrastructure.
Simcoe County
Leads important affordable housing, supportive housing and homelessness programs.
Senior Governments
Provide policy tools and funding needed to support housing and infrastructure.
Builders & Community
Deliver homes, partnerships and local support across the housing continuum.
Primary references include the Affordable Housing Task Force Report, Affordable Housing Master Plan, Official Plan, County housing strategy, Planning Act and Municipal Act, 2001.
The Plan
Provide Planning Certainty
Give residents, builders and partners clear expectations about where and how appropriate housing can proceed.
Invest in Enabling Infrastructure
Coordinate housing growth with responsible water, wastewater, transportation and other infrastructure planning.
Convene a Housing Summit
Bring partners together in an implementation-focused summit to establish responsibilities, timelines and measurable outcomes.
Strengthen Partnerships
Work collaboratively with Simcoe County, senior governments, builders and community organizations.
Build Community Understanding
Explain why housing is needed, how it fits into neighbourhoods and the benefits it brings to the community.
Evaluate Programs by Results
Track whether initiatives move from announcements to implementation and deliver real housing outcomes.
Decision Test for Housing Initiatives
Opportunity
Will it help more people build a secure future in Collingwood?
Housing Choice
Does it add useful options across the housing continuum?
Infrastructure
Can water, wastewater and transportation support it responsibly?
Community Fit
Is the need, neighbourhood fit and community benefit clearly explained?
Results
Are responsibilities, timelines and measurable outcomes defined?
What This Means for Residents
- Workers and young families should have more realistic opportunities to live locally.
- Housing solutions should address needs across the full continuum.
- Growth should proceed with responsible infrastructure planning.
- Programs should be measured by homes and opportunities delivered.
Policy Position
The Town should provide planning certainty, invest in enabling infrastructure, support partnerships and work collaboratively with Simcoe County, senior governments, builders and community organizations.
What Success Looks Like
Measuring Success
- More housing options across the continuum
- Clearer planning expectations and implementation timelines
- Infrastructure coordinated with responsible growth
- Stronger partnerships with Simcoe County and other housing partners
- Community understanding of housing needs and benefits
- Programs evaluated by measurable outcomes
First 100 Days
Convene an implementation-focused Housing Summit with Simcoe County, senior governments, builders and community organizations to establish responsibilities, timelines and measurable outcomes.
Closing Message
When Jan and I began our married life together, our community gave our family an opportunity. I believe today’s young families deserve that same opportunity. Those who work in Collingwood should have the opportunity to build their future here.
— Norm
Selected Source Register
- Affordable Housing Task Force Report (2021).
- Affordable Housing Master Plan.
- Official Plan; Transportation Master Plan; Active Transportation Master Plan.
- CHIPP and the County of Simcoe Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy.
- Planning Act and Municipal Act, 2001.