Collingwood, ON [20 August 2025] The Town of Collingwood is proud to receive a prestigious award for its Rapid ARU (Additional Residential Unit) Deployment initiative and innovative work towards encouraging and supporting affordable and rental housing in the community. The award was presented at the 2025 AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) conference in Ottawa on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
The Peter J. Marshall Innovation Award recognizes creativity and success in implementing new, innovative ways of serving the public among Ontario municipalities. It is a competitive process sponsored by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario, the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships, the Municipal Finance Officers’ Association, and the Ontario Municipal Administrators’ Association.
Mayor Yvonne Hamlin received the award and shared, “We are honoured to receive this recognition for our work in housing innovation. This award is a testament to the power of collaboration and creative problem-solving in addressing today’s housing challenges. Collingwood Council, staff, and the Affordable Housing Task Force remain committed to advancing solutions that create more inclusive, affordable, and sustainable communities.”
The Rapid ARU Deployment initiative launched in 2023 – the first of its kind in Ontario – and to date has issued 58 permits and secured 24 long-term, rental units in Collingwood though the distribution of $172,000 in grant dollars as well as making a gallery of seven pre-approved designs available to streamline processes and remove the guesswork that many property owners face when they decide to build an ARU. The program provides support and resources to homeowners embarking on their ARU journey, including a concierge service, pre-approved designs, and financial incentives of up to $15,000 for eligible projects. This program is stackable with grants from the County of Simcoe and serves as a model for other municipalities in the province and country.
Collingwood punches well above its weight with the key ingredients of political will, engaged community volunteers, and expert staff coming together to make measurable gains in combating the housing crisis.
Learn more about the Rapid ARU Initiative in Collingwood at www.collingwood.ca/rapidARU
