Uninhabitable housing in Gravenhurst and Huntsville is forcing tenants to relocate

20 units in Huntsville will be demolished

District of Muskoka Council was faced with the issue of uninhabitable housing in Gravenhurst and Huntsville forcing tenants to relocate, in the September 15, 2025, Committee of the Whole meeting.

Staff reported that 36 affordable housing units in both Towns that are “uninhabitable and/or in need of significant repair” have been considered for decommissioning and replacement with 78 new modern units.

Aging semi-detached units on Pinedale Road in Gravenhurst and Meadow Park Drive in Huntsville are in dire need of repair or replacement due to water and structural damage.

Staff confirmed that the Huntsville location involves demolition of 20 aging units with combined apartments and duplexes, and retaining 28 units that are in fair condition, and proposing a new 44-unit 3-storey apartment building.

Manager of Capital Projects, Kevin Boyle, indicated that redevelopment for the Gravenhurst units involves replacing 14 units with 34 units in a 3-storey apartment building.

The properties were also considered “opportunities for housing intensification and redevelopment through the Highest and Best Use (HABU) Study on select community-based housing sites which provides an opportunity to increase overall housing supply while improving quality and efficiency,” reported staff.

They added that there will also be “an unfavourable variance to the budget through a loss of rent revenue.” For instance, if both locations are vacant the revenue loss for the 20 units would be approximately $246,000 per year.

The cost to rehabilitate the current units is estimated at least $625,000, and the cost to redevelop both locations is $31.6 million for 78 units, they continued.

Tenant relocation during construction of the units was another issue raised by Councillors, expressing the matter is of urgency with them living in unsafe conditions.  However, staff indicated that they are currently working with residents for housing options.

Staff will proceed with decommissioning the units as necessary, and were directed to return with additional information, including a more detailed strategy to present to Council in the October meeting.