Bracebridge Council to prioritize housing over the next four years

Bracebridge Council to prioritize housing over the next four years

The newly elected Bracebridge Town Council is set to lay out their priorities for the upcoming term and an increased housing supply is at the top of the list.

During a special general committee meeting coming up on January 4, Town Council will consider their strategic priorities for the 2022 to 2026 Council term. According to input acquired from local stakeholders, the top priority for this term will be to support the housing supply and affordability.

In a report compiled by Strategy Corp, local stakeholders have come to a “strong consensus” that housing should be the top priority for this term of council.

The report indicates that finding attainable and affording housing is a challenge for many and is adversely impacting economic development, workforce development and business attraction.

The report says the town needs to lay out some clear guidelines for what they can do, versus areas where they’re going to need to partner and collaborate.

“For example, the Town can review, design and implement policies to enable more housing

types or review its land inventory,” reads the report. “However, affordable housing and housing affordability fall beyond the Town’s ‘span of control’ in terms of direct service delivery. As a result, the Town should consider advocacy, collaboration and convening with the District, province, federal government, NFPs and the private sector, the Muskoka Land Trust.”

Some potential opportunities to move forward and address the issue include new projects like rent-to-own options.

The study lists a number of subsequent priorities for the new Council but at the top of the list are enhancing climate action, encouraging long-term economic developments and supporting community vibrancy health and well-being.

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One Comment

  1. Dana viking says:

    This is just a ploy to rezone our precious Muskoka lands for speculators. More clearcutting, more congestion, higher taxes for current residents. Requirements to pay development charges and protect wetlands scuttled by Doug Ford and his cronies. Don’t fall for this! Yes we need housing. To house the current population of Canada. Not the millions Trudeau wants to bring in. Let’s have a green zero carbon immigration and housing policy.

    Muskokans. Stand up against these fake ‘housing’ plans.

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