The District of Muskoka is making it easier and quicker to address the need for affordable housing across Muskoka.
Two funding opportunities are now available through the Muskoka Affordable Housing Initiatives Program (MAHIP). MAHIP is designed to boost affordable housing supply across the district, and those who are interested are encouraged to submit their applications now.
“This program helps property owners and developers create more rental housing and helps more residents find housing. It also supports the District’s commitment to help build a community where everyone has a place to call home,” said Arfona Zwiers, Commissioner of Community and Planning Services. “Every new unit created through this program is more than a number — each one helps residents and families in our community find affordable housing in Muskoka.”
About the Two Funding Streams
MAHIP Capital Incentive Program: Multi-Residential Rental Units
- Up to $100,000 per unit for developers and builders to create affordable multi-unit rental housing. Funding in this stream supports new construction or conversions of existing buildings such as schools, churches, or retail spaces.
MAHIP Capital Incentive Program: Additional Residential Units
- Up to $50,000 per unit is available for property owners to build additional residential units (also known as secondary suites). Examples include basement apartments or garden suites, offering flexible housing options and rental income.
Applications close Friday, May 1, 2026. Visit www.muskoka.on.ca/mahip for details and eligibility information.
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Building housing is one thing.
Paying the exorbitant bills to hook up to District services and then every year after that is another.
There is no affordable housing in town due to the exorbitant cost of the District’s water and sewer.
$200+/month or $2,400+/year is typical. And rising.
$100+/month even if you are away and have zero usage.
Including the costs shown/hidden on our property taxes under District Water A and District Sewer A.That’s after $45K+!! to hook up.
In fact the District does not allow affordable, water-only housing to be built as in the past.
Either hook up to both water and sewer and pay exorbitant amounts or no permit for you.
The District actually stopped more affordable housing being built in the fields near Bowyers beach. Only because there are no sewers there, just water. There are many fields available for affordable housing near Kirby’s beach as well.
The above explains why many old-growth forested areas in Muskoka are wiped out instead of building on all the empty fields around nearby.