Understanding Housing Affordability in Gravenhurst

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Consultation has concluded

Update - October 2024

On Oct. 15, Gravenhurst council members formally received the town’s Housing Needs Assessment report and agreed to continue addressing housing needs in the community.

Read the related news release.

Read the related staff report.

Review the Housing Needs Assessment.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this project.

Watch Gravenhurst.ca and our social media channels for future updates.

Project introduction

What are we doing?

The Town of Gravenhurst has contracted SHS Consulting to help develop a Housing Needs Assessment for our community.

An important part of the housing needs assessment is understanding how the local community is experiencing housing affordability.

We are seeking resident feedback and providing opportunities to share your stories and ideas about housing affordability in Gravenhurst to help guide decision making based on local need. *To share your stories and ideas, scroll to the bottom and click the the 'Stories' and 'Ideas' tabs. 

A housing needs assessment (HNA) is an essential tool to ensure that the Town of Gravenhurst remains a vibrant, viable and economically prosperous community that grows sustainably, and adapts to the changing profile of the community, going into the future.


What role does the town play in addressing housing affordability for its residents?

As one of six local municipalities that make up the District of Muskoka, the Town of Gravenhurst is reliant on the District of Muskoka, as the Municipal Service Manager responsible for the provision of housing and homelessness programs and services, along with the provincial and federal levels of government.

The Town of Gravenhurst recognizes that there are still opportunities available to address the affordable housing crisis the community is currently experiencing.

Gravenhurst’s council has adopted, as a strategic priority for this term, to investigate what it can do towards ensuring much needed housing is built within the community.


How is affordability defined?

According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, housing is considered “affordable” if it costs less than 30% of a household’s before-tax income.

Many people think the term “affordable housing” refers only to rental housing that is subsidized by the government. In reality, it’s a very broad term that can include housing provided by the private, public and non-profit sectors. It also includes all forms of housing tenure: rental, ownership and co-operative ownership, as well as temporary and permanent housing.


How can you participate? 

You can participate in this project in two ways, you can share your stories and experiences about affordable housing in Gravenhurst, and you can share your ideas to improve affordable housing. We welcome your input on both.


1. Share your Resident Affordable Housing Stories

Please share your stories and experiences about

• Finding affordable housing.

• Having to leave affordable housing due to reasons out of your control and

• Challenges you have faced securing affordable housing for yourself or your family.

• Having to share costs with others to make it more affordable, such as sharing rental housing with friends, buying a home with other family members.

* See the Stories tab below to share your stories with us.


2. Share your Resident Affordable Housing Ideas

Please share your ideas:

• to help improve housing affordability in the community

• to help increase housing options including affordable housing, such as adding Additional Residential Units (ARU’s),

• for alternative housing options within the Town to achieve affordability

• and suggestions for resources and policies you would like to see the Town offer, to help address the housing crisis

* See the Ideas tab below to share your ideas with us.


Additional information

Questions or comments?

Contact us by e-mail at: engagement@shs-inc.ca

Update - October 2024

On Oct. 15, Gravenhurst council members formally received the town’s Housing Needs Assessment report and agreed to continue addressing housing needs in the community.

Read the related news release.

Read the related staff report.

Review the Housing Needs Assessment.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this project.

Watch Gravenhurst.ca and our social media channels for future updates.

Project introduction

What are we doing?

The Town of Gravenhurst has contracted SHS Consulting to help develop a Housing Needs Assessment for our community.

An important part of the housing needs assessment is understanding how the local community is experiencing housing affordability.

We are seeking resident feedback and providing opportunities to share your stories and ideas about housing affordability in Gravenhurst to help guide decision making based on local need. *To share your stories and ideas, scroll to the bottom and click the the 'Stories' and 'Ideas' tabs. 

A housing needs assessment (HNA) is an essential tool to ensure that the Town of Gravenhurst remains a vibrant, viable and economically prosperous community that grows sustainably, and adapts to the changing profile of the community, going into the future.


What role does the town play in addressing housing affordability for its residents?

As one of six local municipalities that make up the District of Muskoka, the Town of Gravenhurst is reliant on the District of Muskoka, as the Municipal Service Manager responsible for the provision of housing and homelessness programs and services, along with the provincial and federal levels of government.

The Town of Gravenhurst recognizes that there are still opportunities available to address the affordable housing crisis the community is currently experiencing.

Gravenhurst’s council has adopted, as a strategic priority for this term, to investigate what it can do towards ensuring much needed housing is built within the community.


How is affordability defined?

According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, housing is considered “affordable” if it costs less than 30% of a household’s before-tax income.

Many people think the term “affordable housing” refers only to rental housing that is subsidized by the government. In reality, it’s a very broad term that can include housing provided by the private, public and non-profit sectors. It also includes all forms of housing tenure: rental, ownership and co-operative ownership, as well as temporary and permanent housing.


How can you participate? 

You can participate in this project in two ways, you can share your stories and experiences about affordable housing in Gravenhurst, and you can share your ideas to improve affordable housing. We welcome your input on both.


1. Share your Resident Affordable Housing Stories

Please share your stories and experiences about

• Finding affordable housing.

• Having to leave affordable housing due to reasons out of your control and

• Challenges you have faced securing affordable housing for yourself or your family.

• Having to share costs with others to make it more affordable, such as sharing rental housing with friends, buying a home with other family members.

* See the Stories tab below to share your stories with us.


2. Share your Resident Affordable Housing Ideas

Please share your ideas:

• to help improve housing affordability in the community

• to help increase housing options including affordable housing, such as adding Additional Residential Units (ARU’s),

• for alternative housing options within the Town to achieve affordability

• and suggestions for resources and policies you would like to see the Town offer, to help address the housing crisis

* See the Ideas tab below to share your ideas with us.


Additional information

Questions or comments?

Contact us by e-mail at: engagement@shs-inc.ca

Resident Affordable Housing Stories

Thank you for sharing your story with us.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
  • Share Family of four struggling on Facebook Share Family of four struggling on Twitter Share Family of four struggling on Linkedin Email Family of four struggling link

    Family of four struggling

    by KatieG, almost 2 years ago
    My family of four moved to Gravenhurst almost 7 years ago! We love it here! I had childhood summers spent here a long with holidays. When I moved out of the city, I figured this would be a great place to raise my family. After staying with my senior grandmother in her one bedroom shard kitchen apartment for a month we managed to find a 2 bedroom plus small den. Since price inflation I've had my ex-husband move in with myself and my now husband to help with expenses. The place has already became to small for growing kids, but... Continue reading
    My family of four moved to Gravenhurst almost 7 years ago! We love it here! I had childhood summers spent here a long with holidays. When I moved out of the city, I figured this would be a great place to raise my family. After staying with my senior grandmother in her one bedroom shard kitchen apartment for a month we managed to find a 2 bedroom plus small den. Since price inflation I've had my ex-husband move in with myself and my now husband to help with expenses. The place has already became to small for growing kids, but after looking for over three years, it looks like my family will be moving back to the dangers of the city, because unless I'm looking to live in a one bedroom basement apartment for more then my monthly income with five people, There is no housing nor is there affordable housing, even with all us adults working, we cannot afford a 5, 000 dollar a month home. I hope this issue gets fixed in the next few years!
  • Share Young Family's Future on Facebook Share Young Family's Future on Twitter Share Young Family's Future on Linkedin Email Young Family's Future link

    Young Family's Future

    by Samuel, almost 2 years ago

    My wife and I have two young children and we were very fortunate to be able to buy a house in Gravenhurst in 2021. We both worked professional jobs and saved money every way we could, but ultimately it took considerable help from my wife's parents to be able to buy a small home. We were extremely fortunate, and we both understand it was really luck that allowed us to buy a place. We struggle to pay the mortgage but we need a place to live and one day we'll benefit from being able to buy in. So many of... Continue reading

    My wife and I have two young children and we were very fortunate to be able to buy a house in Gravenhurst in 2021. We both worked professional jobs and saved money every way we could, but ultimately it took considerable help from my wife's parents to be able to buy a small home. We were extremely fortunate, and we both understand it was really luck that allowed us to buy a place. We struggle to pay the mortgage but we need a place to live and one day we'll benefit from being able to buy in. So many of my age cohort don't have the same luxury we've had, not to mention younger generations who are now completely squeezed out of the market. Historically renting allowed young people to save money, thus allowing them a springboard to get into the housing market, but that avenue has also disappeared with the current astronomical rent prices. In my opinion, discussions ongoing about attracting and retaining young workers and families is purely academic, since the real issue is much more urgent. Citizens in our area, and further afield, cannot afford to live or have children. How are politicians even talking about anything else?

    Shame on the people and policies that have put us here.

  • Share Affordable Housing should include on Facebook Share Affordable Housing should include on Twitter Share Affordable Housing should include on Linkedin Email Affordable Housing should include link

    Affordable Housing should include

    by Kay, almost 2 years ago
    I own a nice house that one would think was affordable from the outside. But in fact the bank owns a large percentage. Thus I pay a large monthly mortgage to the bank. As I home owner I am required to pay municipal taxes, electricity, water, sewer, and any repairs to that house. Thus I pay almost 60% of my income on housing. But I never hear of homeowners in the conversation about affordable housing.
    I own a nice house that one would think was affordable from the outside. But in fact the bank owns a large percentage. Thus I pay a large monthly mortgage to the bank. As I home owner I am required to pay municipal taxes, electricity, water, sewer, and any repairs to that house. Thus I pay almost 60% of my income on housing. But I never hear of homeowners in the conversation about affordable housing.