The Town of The Blue Mountains would like to team up with other Grey County municipalities to develop a housing strategy for the local region.
At its committee of the whole budget meeting on Jan. 8, council approved a recommendation from CAO Shawn Everitt to pursue the possibility of a regional housing strategy being developed by Grey County in conjunction with the other nine lower-tier municipalities.
The Blue Mountains has been working toward a start on its housing strategy. The price tag for the initiative has been pegged at $350,000, which is an additional 1.79 per cent tax increase on the draft 2024.
Funding for the study has not been included in the town’s draft 2024 budget, which included a local tax increase of 9.58 per cent at the time it was presented to council.
Everitt told council that based on his meetings with county leadership and other local municipal CAOs there is an appetite for the consideration of a Grey County-led process to develop a housing strategy.
“I’m a firm believer the County of Grey should take the lead on the housing strategy,” said Everitt, who expressed concerns that without a county role in the development of a regional housing strategy, the end result would be a bunch of plans developed in “silos.”
“The housing crisis is at such a height that we need more than just plans. How do we get keys in the door?” said Everitt. “If it could be a regional approach, that would be a benefit to all.”
Everitt noted that a county-led approach could include mapping of surplus lands owned by various levels of government that might be available for affordable housing developments. He said that information would be valuable.
“We could focus in on: where are the best locations for this type of development?” he said.
In a 5-1 vote, council voted to support the CAO’s resolution to make a formal request to the county to consider a regional housing strategy. Coun. June Porter voted against the resolution, while Coun. Paula Hope was absent.
The regional approach was a popular idea with members of council.
“We should be collaborating with Grey County. Why work in silos?” said Coun. Gail Ardiel. “This is the right way to go.”
Porter said she is concerned The Blue Mountains would be stuck in neutral on housing if a regional approach was adopted.
“I don’t want to be held back while others catch up,” said Porter. “I would want to monitor this very closely.”
Mayor Andrea Matrosovs praised the approach and said it would eliminate municipal borders from the equation.
“We’ve known for a long time people don’t recognize municipal boundaries based on where they live and work,” said the mayor. “This is our opportunity to build up momentum.”
