Affordable and Attainable Housing
A look back at my 2022 Affordable and Attainable Housing commitments. What was accomplished, what remains, and what comes next.
To review my original 2022 Affordable and Attainable Housing platform, click here.
In 2022, I said several times that any solution to our housing crisis will be a made-in-Saugeen Shores solution, because no one else is coming to our rescue. Housing is a County portfolio, not a municipal one.
The actions of the 2018–22 Council to waive DCs, or development charges, did result in the creation of around 600 rental units. That was a good policy.
Since I have been on Council, I, along with others, have made no exception to maintaining at least 30% green space on medium- and high-density site plans.
The 2022–24 Council is offering a 25% reduction on DCs for purpose-built rentals. There are no DCs on Additional Residential Units (ARUs), no DCs for commercial properties converted to residential, and no DCs on affordable housing.
Zoning has also been changed to include more medium-density housing, such as townhomes and condos.
We are using two pieces of Town-owned land for affordable housing. Both pieces were transferred to the Town as part of expanding the settlement area, so there was no cost to the taxpayer.
The Town is partnering with Habitat for Humanity and Wilson Developments to build 28 affordable, two-bedroom ownership condos in Port Elgin. These units are starting this year. This is often referred to as the “missing middle.” Condos are the new “starter homes.” Habitat will get five condos, and the Town will get two, which we will gift to Bruce County Housing for long-term affordable rentals, or perhaps to Habitat. The other 21 will be sold at the Bruce County price for affordable housing.
That is 28 families who are going to get the break they need to live in Saugeen Shores.
The Town is also building 140 long-term affordable rental units on the Bluewater lands. This will be a co-op, and the units will remain perpetually affordable. They will range from one to three bedrooms, some will be accessible, and all of them will be affordable. This should help a number of seniors, young families, and others who have been excluded from housing in Saugeen Shores. Construction may start this year! Hats off to Vice Deputy Mayor Mike Myatt, who worked tirelessly on this portfolio and brought me in to work with him on it.
As well, the Town first partnered with the County in 2023 by contributing $75,000 to expand the rental subsidy program in Saugeen Shores. That investment enabled an additional 10 Saugeen Shores households to receive a housing allowance, bringing the total number of local households supported to 21 at that time. Recognizing the growing need for housing supports, Saugeen Shores increased its investment to $150,000 in 2024 and further increased funding to $225,000 in 2025 through the Town’s annual Business Plan process. Looking ahead, the program remains in high demand. It is projected to provide $223,020 in housing assistance to 32 households in 2026.
The housing crisis isn’t over, but we are making a dent in it. We are gaining experience in building affordable housing and rentals, and we have more land to work with! Saugeen Shores is being innovative and taking leadership in affordable housing, and shovels will be in the ground soon!
© 2026 Bud Halpin