Collingwood, ON [13 January 2025] Collingwood now has a new non-profit housing group, thanks to the Town’s new $25,000 seed funding initiative.
Through the approved 2024 budget, Collingwood Council introduced a $25,000 funding initiative to seed a non-profit or not-for-profit organization that could develop, own, and operate affordable housing in the community. The objective the funding is to help kick-start a new or existing organization to increase the availability of affordable housing units in Collingwood.
Jane Truemner and Laurel McCorriston have been selected as the recipients of the seed funding and plan to use the seed funds to create a new non-profit housing organization that will develop, build and operate affordable, safe and sustainable housing for moderate-income residents currently shut out of the housing market in Collingwood. The two are well-versed in the non-profit housing space, with decades of combined experience in the delivery of capital projects, affordable housing management and operations, and fundraising.
“We are delighted to announce the award of $25,000 in Seed Funding to a new non-profit housing organization that can deliver affordable units in the community. We hope these funds can be used to boost the capacity of this new group to drive this initiative forward,” says Mayor Yvonne Hamlin.
This new organization can now take advantage of opportunities to create affordable housing units, including receiving lands or units from donors, building new or renovating existing structures to create affordable housing, and/or taking advantage of future financial incentives from all levels of government or via social financing, to deliver affordable housing by and for the community.
Statement from Jane Truemner and Laurel McCorriston
We appreciate the Town of Collingwood’s proactive approach to the housing issue. We are excited to begin work establishing ourselves as an Affordable Housing Organization in Collingwood. As growth in population and business continues, we will focus on developing new opportunities to find affordable housing solutions. This will ensure community members can both work in town and have a safe, healthy place to live.
We (the recipients) will hold a community meeting in February (Details TBD). We look forward to sharing more information with the community soon.
Background
Affordable housing has been identified as a key priority for Council and staff, as well as the Affordable Housing Task Force (AHTF). With their leadership and the support from consultants N. Barry Lyon Consultants (NBLC) Ltd., the Town of Collingwood Affordable Housing Master Plan (AHMP), was developed and endorsed by Council in November 2023. The demand for adequate, affordable housing supply has inspired this recent seed funding opportunity at the request of Council.
The Town of Collingwood is facing a deficit of more than 1,300 affordable units to meet the existing housing needs in our community. Moderate income households are currently priced out of both the ownership and rental housing market, and the limited rental options drive up prices, creating a constrained market with few options available. The seed funding initiative is just one of many actions the Town is taking to address the housing crisis.
For more information on affordable housing initiatives being undertaken by the Town of Collingwood, please contact Housing Development Coordinator Claire de Souza, [email protected] or 705-445-1030 ext. 3242.
