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Press Release

Popular secondary suites program creates affordable rentals across the region

 

Midhurst/June 23, 2022 – The County of Simcoe reminds residents of its popular secondary suites program, which adds critical affordable rentals across the region. This program provides nearly $1 million in forgivable loans annually across the County of Simcoe to homeowners who wish to create affordable rental secondary suites in their homes or garden suites.

“County Council is committed to investing in targeted strategies that ensure that our residents are not left behind during times when housing markets become more costly," said Warden George Cornell. “By investing in secondary suites, we know that not only are affordable rentals created, but homeowners benefit too by having additional income to supplement their existing housing costs."

Forgivable loans of up to a maximum of $30,000 per property are given on a first-come, first-served basis to affordable rental projects on existing properties. Each project must comply with local municipal building permits/approvals and Ontario Building Code requirements, with construction starting within 120 days of project approval. Upon completion of the project, the homeowner agrees to ensure rents remain affordable, based on Average Market Rent as determined by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for a period of 15 years.

Grants of up to $5,000 are available for permanent modifications to secondary/garden suites to improve accessibility including modifications such as adding wheelchair ramps, chair/bath lifts, height adjustments to countertops, and more.

More information on the Secondary Suites Program can be found at simcoe.ca/secondarysuites.

About Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy
Our Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy sets out real targets and goals to create more affordable housing within communities across Simcoe County. By December 31, 2021, the County was able to report that 2,531 new units had been created since 2014, 94 per cent of the way to its overall target of creating at least 2,685 new affordable housing units across the region. The County's strategy continues to focus on supporting residents through maximizing funding, achieving targets, and working with area partners to create affordable housing units for residents across the County. Targets were established in 2014, and the county continues to adapt to meet growing needs, including initial collaboration to establish our next long-term strategy. More information can be found at simcoe.ca/ourahhps.

About the County of Simcoe
The County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.

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CONTACTS

Andrea Walasek
Public Relations Consultant
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Department
249-535-3511 (mobile)​
Andrea.Walasek@simcoe.ca

Collin Matanowitsch
Manager, Public Relations
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Department
705-734-8386 (mobile)
Collin.Matanowitsch@simcoe.ca