The County and Town are working together to bring more affordable housing to Collingwood
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The County of Simcoe and the Town of Collingwood are working together to provide expanded affordable housing opportunities in the region.
The Town of Collingwood responded to the County of Simcoe’s Municipal Call for Proposals in 2024 with a proposed land donation at 29 & 45 Birch Street. This location already has access to amenities and site services on site with an existing 9-unit apartment complex.
This proposed development will improve density on existing lands and aligns with the County of Simcoe’s 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy and the Simcoe County Housing Corporation Affordable Housing Development Master Plan. It has been identified as an ideal opportunity to implement modular construction due to its proposed size, timing and cost.
This is just more way that the County is #BuildingUp our communities. See the rendering of the proposed housing development set for completion in 2026 below.
The selected proposal includes a 30-unit, 3-storey modular building.
Anticipated Timeline
- Collingwood Council received a presentation on Monday, February 10th by the County and now it will go to County Council for its approval of the design and budget
- We are hoping to have some public consultations later this spring and then have the current residents moved to their new temporary locations in the summer
- Because this is a modular build, it is much quicker – demolition of the current building would happen later this summer or in early fall, and the new building should be ready for occupancy by Spring 2026, subject to change as the project moves along
Floor plans and layout
The proposed ground floor includes:
- Tenant common room with direct access to the outdoor patio amenity area
- On-site Community Housing office
- Community Program Room
- Indoor bike and scooter storage
- Indoor garbage and recycling
Frequently Asked Questions
It is expected that most rents will be at 80% of Average Market Rent (AMR – Collingwood)
Using current rents, 80% of Average Market Rent would be:
- Studio: $816
- 1 Bedroom: $1,047
- 2 Bedroom: $1,231
- 3 Bedroom: $1,357
The SCHC owns and operates several affordable rental properties in the Town of Collingwood. Prior to site development at Birch Street the current tenants will be offered a rental unit at another of the SCHC buildings and, once the new building is ready for occupancy, Birch Street residents will be provided with the ‘right of first refusal’, meaning the current tenants will have the option to move back to this location. Current residents’ rents will remain at current rates and prescribed Provincial annual indexes.
Feedback or questions from current tenants regarding tenant coordination and services can be submitted by email to dianne.tooth@simcoe.ca or by calling the Simcoe County Housing Corporation at 705-725-7215.
Information on the project and relevant staff reports can be found at simcoe.ca/BirchStreet
Feedback or questions about the proposed development can be submitted by email to rachelle.hamelin@simcoe.ca or by calling the Social Housing Department at 705-726-9300, extension 1485
Information on the site plan approval process can be received by contacting the Town of Collingwood at townhall@collingwood.ca or phoning 705-445-1030
