County releases annual report on affordable housing and homelessness prevention measures

Midhurst/July 22, 2025 – The County of Simcoe has released its eleventh annual report card to measure and evaluate the impact of the County’s affordable housing and homelessness prevention measures. The 2024 annual report is considered an “interim” report between the previous ten-year strategy (2014-2024) and the County’s upcoming strategy, expected to begin later in 2025, subject to Ministry approval.

The previous ten-year strategy set a minimum goal of 2,685 new affordable housing units between 2014 and 2024. The County exceeded that goal ahead of time, reaching it by the end of 2022. Work and investments continued, ultimately creating 3,250 new affordable homes by the end of the strategy.

After the original strategy concluded at the beginning of 2024, the County and its partners continued investing in safe, affordable, and reliable homes for residents across the region, creating an additional 442 spaces in 2024, bringing the total number of new spaces since 2014 to 3,692.

“While we are proud of what we’ve accomplished, we know there is still more to do to create strong, inclusive communities where residents can thrive as we work to maintain affordability across our region,” said Warden Basil Clarke. “That’s why we are committed to continuing to work together to build up strong partnerships and take meaningful action to ensure that everyone in Simcoe County has a safe and welcoming place to call home.”

Highlights from the 2024 Annual Report:

• 50 new affordable housing units completed in Bradford West Gwillimbury
• Approval of 220 new mixed-income units in Barrie
• Proposed redevelopment of 30 new modular units in Collingwood
• $2.6M invested in capital repairs for SCHC housing
• $3.3M invested in urgent repairs for non-profit housing providers
• $1.4M distributed in rent supplements and housing allowances
• $1.5M allocated toward Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit rent supplements
• $526,000 invested to create secondary suites in 2024
• 266 total funded secondary suites created since 2014

• $701,000 invested in downpayment assistance for homeownership
• $1.6M issued in eviction prevention and housing retention supports
• Launch of Rapid Rehousing programs in Collingwood (seniors) and Orillia (youth)
• Approval of Simcoe County Housing Corporation’s Affordable Housing Development Master Plan (targeting 1,000 new units over 10 years)

Funding for the affordable housing strategy comes from a variety of sources, including the County of Simcoe, the cities of Barrie and Orillia, and governments of Canada and Ontario.

Moving into the next 10-year strategy (once approved by the Province and County Council), the County will continue to focus on supporting residents through maximizing funding, achieving targets, and working with area partners to create affordable housing units for residents across the County. To download a copy of the 2024 Annual Report or for more information, visit simcoe.ca/ourahhps.

About the County of Simcoe

County of Simcoe is composed of 16 member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.