In This Newsletter:
- Ahead of the Federal Election: New Housing Advocacy Tools in TISGB’s Toolkit
- Collaborative Approach to Housing Affordability- A Collingwood Case Study
- Participate in The Blue Mountains & Area 2025 Sustainability Summit
Ahead of the Federal Election: New Housing Advocacy Tools in TISGB’s Toolkit
In response to the recent federal election announcement, TISGB’s Social Finance and Housing working group launched a subcommittee to prepare educational tools for voters on the topic of affordable housing. Led by local housing advocate Marg Scheben-Edey, this group has added three new resources for our community. These documents are now available in the TISGB Affordable Housing Toolkit and aim to empower community members and candidates alike with accurate, localized data and key advocacy messages.
One of these resources, Key Points: What We’re Asking for in 2025, outlines clear, actionable policy recommendations that support a more affordable and equitable housing future for our region. It calls on all levels of government to take bold, collaborative action—placing emphasis on supporting the development of new affordable rental stock, unlocking funding streams for non-profit housing providers, and enabling municipalities to create and implement long-term housing strategies.
The toolkit also includes a detailed breakdown of Housing Data by Federal Riding and Questions Candidates Should Be Ready to Answer—both tailored to the realities of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound and Simcoe-Grey.
Access all three of these resources before the election on April 28th at https://tisgb.com/social-finance-and-housing/affordable-housing-toolkit/
Read The New Housing Advocacy Tools HERE
Collingwood’s Collaborative Approach to Housing Affordability
A community-led case study in moving from insight to action, prepared by: Anne Finlay-Stewart and Jack Vanderkooy
In January 2021, following the UN Habitat for Towns conference, Collingwood Town Council unanimously voted to form an Affordable Housing Task Force. The timing was urgent: Collingwood, once focused on attracting new residents, now faced an acute housing affordability crisis that threatened the social and economic well-being of the entire region.
The Town issued a call for community members to join the Task Force, resulting in a dynamic mix of councillors, planning experts, industry professionals, and residents with lived experience. The group was mandated to:
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Investigate opportunities for Town-owned lands.
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Monitor and recommend updates to planning policies.
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Identify funding and grant opportunities to support new housing models.
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Support the advancement of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
With support from Town staff and informed by local advocates and regional research (including from TISGB’s Housing & Social Finance Working Group), the group met intensively over several months and presented a final report to Council on November 1, 2021. That report included 60 recommendations, of which seven were prioritized and adopted by Council:
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Establish a reserve fund using 1% of annual property tax revenue.
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Hire an Affordable Housing Planning Specialist.
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Create an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.
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Review all town-owned lands for development opportunities.
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Develop a strategy to attract not-for-profit housing developers.
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Design and implement incentive programs to encourage new builds.
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Create a comprehensive public engagement and education strategy.
Quick wins followed: 45+ building permits for ARUs, zoning updates, reduced parking minimums, and new pre-approved designs. Today, the Task Force has shifted its focus to public education and engagement—continuing to shape a culture of shared responsibility.
Collingwood’s case offers a clear lesson: progress is possible when a municipality builds trust, sets ambitious goals, listens deeply to its people, and moves boldly from conversation to coordinated action.
2nd Annual Sustainability Summit Taking Place April 24, 2025
The Town of The Blue Mountains is hosting the 2nd Annual Blue Mountains and Area Sustainability Summit on Thursday, April 24, at the Beaver Valley Community Centre in Thornbury.
The Sustainability Summit is an essential event for leaders and innovators who are driving the future of sustainability. Pre-registration for the summit is now available on the Town’s Eventbrite webpage. The event is free to attend, but pre-registration is required.
Last year’s Summit brought together over 120 attendees from diverse sectors, including businesses, non-profits, and residents, who engaged in compelling discussions and presentations on the Circular Economy and Green Initiatives. This year, we’re excited to continue the momentum and dive even deeper into critical topics such as Social Sustainability and Green Economy.
What’s New This Year?
The 2025 Sustainability Summit is a free event that will feature both afternoon and evening sessions, offering an exciting lineup of topics designed to inspire and challenge. Here’s what you can look forward to:
Afternoon Session (1:00 pm – 4:00 pm):
The afternoon will delve into the theme of Social Sustainability, featuring an engaging panel discussion on energy poverty and equity, diversity, and inclusion in Climate Solutions. This session will be a perfect opportunity to connect over light refreshments and share ideas with fellow changemakers.
Evening Session (5:30 pm – 8:00 pm):
The evening will bring the spotlight on the Green Economy Hub pilot, with presentations from forward-thinking experts sharing sustainable business practices that can shape the future. Additionally, a feature film premiere will be showcased, followed by a chance to network with industry leaders and peers over hors d’oeuvres and beverages.
Registration for the event is now open. Participants can register for the afternoon, evening, or both sessions. The Sustainability Summit is a free event, but pre-registration is required. Space is limited, and participants are encouraged to register early to secure their space. With a carefully curated agenda, the Summit will offer valuable insights and opportunities for those committed to sustainability.
For more information about the Sustainability Summit, visit the event webpage or contact:
Jeff Fletcher
Manager of Sustainability and Solid Waste
Town of The Blue Mountains
(519) 599-3131 ext. 238