Collingwood, ON [07 May 2025] – Neighbours say Yes In My Back Yard in support of affordable housing! Join Collingwood’s Affordable Housing Task Force in celebrating YIMBY week, including a flag raising and community conversation.
YIMBY stands for “Yes In My Back Yard” and it is a social movement that has risen in cities all over North America.
Redwood Park Communities is leading the initiative in Simcoe County.
“YIMBY just means recognizing that everyone should have a safe, affordable, hopeful place to call home, and when that’s the case, we’re all better off,” states Tim Kent, Redwood’s co-founder and CEO. “This message is resonating across Simcoe County.”
Affordable housing for middle income households has been identified as a key priority for Council and staff for several years. Affordable Housing is defined as housing that costs no more than 30% of a household’s before-tax income. All residents of our community should have access to adequate housing and Collingwood especially needs more rental housing to assist in combating the housing crisis. Moderate income households are currently priced out of both the ownership and rental housing market. Limited rental options drive up rental prices, creating a constrained market with few options available.
The Town’s Affordable Housing Master Plan identifies opposition to affordable housing, rental housing and increased densities that can positively affect affordability – commonly called NIMBY or ‘Not In My Back Yard’ – as one of the key barriers to development that can make it more challenging to build housing that meets the needs of our community.
YIMBY Week is May 18 – 24, 2025 and the YIMBY flag will fly at the community flagpole in front of the Collingwood Public Library on May 20, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
“Increasing the supply of affordable housing is critical to the well-being of our community.” Says Jack Vanderkooy, Chair of the Collingwood Affordable Housing Task Force. “Let’s come together as a community to shift the conversation from opposing growth and affordable housing to supporting and encouraging healthy growth for a complete, vibrant community.”
Residents are invited to join the Town’s Affordable Housing Task Force for the kick-off to the Collingwood Talks Housing series on May 21, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in Community Rooms B & C on the third floor of the Collingwood Public Library, 55 Ste. Marie Street. We will be discussing how we can collectively shift the community conversation from ‘Not In My Back Yard’ to ‘Yes In My Back Yard’ and embrace housing that positively impacts the Town’s housing needs.
To learn more and register to participate, please visit: https://www.collingwood.ca/housing or call 705-445-1030.
NEW! To stay updated on the Town’s housing initiatives and future events, sign up for the Affordable Housing E-Newsletter!
See the list of events, request a lawn sign and learn more about the YIMBY movement at: www.redwoodparkcommunities.com/yimby.
About the Collingwood Affordable Housing Task Force
The Affordable Housing Task Force is a group of engaged citizens who provide advice, guidance and support on implementing the Council-endorsed Affordable Housing Master Plan. They also serve as a forum for community conversation, communication, relationship building, advocacy and championing to promote affordable housing goals.
Jack Vanderkooy
Chair, Affordable Housing Task Force
jack.vdkooy@gmail.com
About Redwood Park Communities
Redwood Park Communities is a Simcoe County-based charity founded in 2009 to create safe, affordable, hopeful housing where people thrive in community. Redwood is moving beyond social service to create social change, strengthening and transforming communities by building homes where people can connect, create, and contribute. Learn more at www.redwoodparkcommunities.com.
Jennifer van Gennip
Director of Communications and Advocacy
Redwood Park Communities
705-220-3265
jennifer@redwoodparkcommunities.com
