Gravenhurst to implement its new Housing Plan

The town has added 1,000 units in the last 5 years

Gravenhurst Council approved the new Housing Action Plan (HAP), in the May 13, 2025, meeting.

According to the staff report, a Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) was conducted last fall, and while the Town may not have the resources to address all of the aspects of it they have seen success with their “streamlined approach to development approvals.”

Director of Community Growth and Development, Melissa Halford, said, “In just 5 short years Council has approved the development of over 1,000 residential units, many of which are rentals.”

She added that shovels are also “in the ground” for many of the projects, and 200 purpose-build rental housing units have been rented recently or are being developed, and hundreds are waiting for site plan approval.

She continued, “It’s a remarkable thing to be able to report to Council, that many residential units in the market that we’re in and what’s been happening recently across the province.”

The staff report indicates that the new HAP will focus on 5 roles, including Addressing Development Barriers, Promoting Target Housing Forms, Aligning Programs with Local Needs, Continued Education/Engagement, and Advocacy for Funding from all levels of government.

It adds that some actions have already been implemented, and others are in the works pending the completion of resource commitments. Some projects will also be completed with future projects alongside the Official Plan Review scheduled next year.

Halford advised, the Town work is just beginning regarding addressing community needs, and it will also involve the Muskoka Attainable Task Force and the District’s Big Move on Housing Action Plan, with the goal to provide housing options for people in deepest need.

She added the new HAP is ambitious but practical, focusing on using the tools the Town has available to develop more housing in the community.

Councillor, Sandy Cairns, praised the work of staff who developed the HAP using guidelines from the HNA. She said, “It was Council’s decision to move forward with some of these projects; it was staff’s due diligence to get things going forward.”

She said she’s impressed with the progress, adding “Our Town is booming.”

Mayor, Heidi Lorenz, concurred, indicating “very exciting time in Gravenhurst.”