​Bruce County seeks land information for future community housing build

June 20, the Bruce County Housing Corporation board of directors granted approval for staff to proceed with the exploration of land acquisition opportunities for the development of a multi-residential community housing build within the inland region of Bruce County.

“Low-income indicators demonstrate a need for more deeply affordable housing across all geographic regions in Bruce County, with slight prominence in the inland region,” said Tina Metcalfe, director of human services and chief executive officer of the housing corporation.

“The Bruce County Housing Corporation looks forward to hearing from local municipalities, non-profit organizations, and other community landowners on the availability of properties within the inland region of the county that could support the needs of our next housing development.”

Given the success of the housing corporation’s 35-unit Penetangore Place Community Housing development in Kincardine (above), and the ability to capitalize on key learnings from that build, it is recommended that the future inland region build be similar in design. However, the size of the parcel of land acquired, zoning, and available funding will also play key roles in determining the number of units that can be constructed.

To ensure a housing corporation future build is financially viable and sustainable, land acquisition and build priorities must include leveraging surplus land or a willingness to explore below-market transfer of ownership for land and development-ready site opportunities (including servicing and zoning considerations).

The housing corporation has launched a Request for Information (RFI) process to explore potential site opportunities. Further background information, site selection criteria, and an RFI submission form can be found on the Bruce County website at: www.brucecounty.on.ca/buildinbruce.