Lake of Bays Council raises concerns over delays to Baysville Affordable Housing Project

Its been two years since the project was given the green light

Lake of Bays Council raised concerns over delays to a planned affordable housing development on Dickie Street in Baysville during its October 13, 2026, meeting.

The Township awarded the project to Habitat for Humanity Gateway North in November 2024, but construction has yet to begin.

In that meeting staff advised that the original proposal calls for six long-term affordable rental apartments in two single-storey triplex buildings on Dickie Street.

Director of Planning, April Best-Sararas, told Council staff received three bids and recommended Habitat, a registered charity that has been in the business for 20 years, including in Muskoka.

She added, “The proposal includes commitment to long-term affordability, environmental sustainability, including energy performance above the standards of the Ontario Building Code, completing all project approvals in a timely manner,” among other criteria.

Today, CAO, Geoff Carleton, said Township staff are currently working with Habitat on designs and are waiting for revisions. Habitat is also working on a funding model, with the goal of making submissions collaboratively with the Township to move the project forward.

Councillor, Mike Peppard, asked whether Habitat had approached the District of Muskoka about additional funding opportunities. He had previously mentioned the District's $30-million Big Move Forward Fund as a potential source of support for the project.

Carleton said information regarding District funding opportunities has been communicated to Habitat.

Councillor, Robert Lacroix, noted that when Council approved Habitat's proposal, "we didn't put a time limit on it," and suggested staff emphasize to Habitat that “Council is wanting this to happen.”

Lacroix also indicated that Habitat come up with a solution. He said, "There has to be some movement," adding that housing is needed "sooner rather than later."

He suggested that staff request Habitat to return to Council in the spring so parameters and timelines could be established for moving the project toward completion.

Carleton noted that Habitat has recently undergone a change in executive leadership and that staff have maintained ongoing communication with their new Executive Director and that "Habitat understands where the Township lies on this."

Councillor, Rick Brooks, also called for timelines on future agreements, pointing to Habitat's work on another development in Bracebridge while there is still "no shovel in the ground" in Lake of Bays.

Mayor, Terry Glover, said he had met with Habitat and expressed his "disappointment and embarrassment" to Council over the lack of progress.

"They've let us down," Glover said, noting another group had also come forward before Council selected Habitat for the project.