Housing Supports

Affordable Housing is housing that costs less than 30% of a household's before-tax income.

The Town of Collingwood's affordable housing efforts focus on households with moderate incomes. Moderate income generally refers to households within the 4th and 6th income deciles for Collingwood residents.

For moderate-income homeowners, annual household incomes typically range from approximately $74,000 to $109,000. This translates to an affordable home purchase price between approximately $248,000 and $366,000, based on no more than 30% of gross household income being directed toward housing costs.

For moderate-income renters, that range is cut nearly in half, with household incomes at approximately $47,000 – $68,000, for which an affordable monthly rent is $1,200 – $1,700 based on a maximum of 30% gross income being directed to housing costs.

When a community does not have enough affordable housing, the impacts are felt throughout the town. Housing insecurity disproportionately affects diverse and marginalized populations, older adults, and households with lower incomes.

As housing costs continue to rise, more individuals and families struggle to afford essential needs such as food, healthcare, and transportation. Housing affordability challenges can also impact local businesses, workforce retention, and overall community wellbeing. When residents can no longer afford to live in the community, employers may face difficulties attracting and retaining workers.

An adequate supply of affordable housing helps support a healthy, inclusive, and economically sustainable community. Benefits of affordable housing include:  

• Improved community wellbeing and vibrancy
• Reduced homelessness
• Better access to education
• Improved health outcomes and reduced pressure on health and social services
• Increased diversity and inclusion 
• Lower crime rates and reduced food insecurity
• Enhanced economic sustainability

Addressing the housing crisis and increasing the supply of affordable rental and ownership housing requires collaboration across all levels of government, non-profit organizations, and private industry.

The Town's current role includes:

• Supporting the Affordable Housing Task Force and community-led initiatives.
• Identifying community champions and partners to help housing supply.
• Updating land use policies and regulations to encourage affordable housing and remove barriers.
• Guiding affordable housing development through regulations, land use planning, and policies
• Connecting developers and landowners with available funding opportunities and resources
• Streamlining development processes
• Developing programs that encourage homeowners to create accessory dwelling units and contribute to the affordable housing solution
• Promoting purpose-built rental housing to help increase the supply of long-term rental units based on community housing needs data.

The Town's role may continue to evolve through the implementation of the Affordable Housing Master Plan, which identifies priorities, actions, and funding approaches to support affordable housing in Collingwood.

Community or social housing is often used interchangeably with affordable housing. Community housing is managed by the County of Simcoe and includes public housing, cooperatives, and non-profit providers that receive government funding to help with rent subsidies and operating costs. The County takes care of planning, funding, and managing social housing programs and homelessness services.