The County and Town are working together to bring more affordable housing to Collingwood
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The County of Simcoe and the Town of Collingwood are working together to provide expanded affordable housing opportunities in the region.
The Town of Collingwood responded to the County of Simcoe’s Municipal Call for Proposals in 2024 with a proposed land donation at 29 & 45 Birch Street. At the time of the donation, this location boasted access to amenities and site services on site with an existing 9-unit apartment complex.
This new development will improve density on existing lands and aligns with the County of Simcoe’s 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy and the Simcoe County Housing Corporation Affordable Housing Development Master Plan. It has been identified as an ideal opportunity to implement modular construction due to its proposed size, timing and cost.
This is just more way that the County is #BuildingUp our communities. See the rendering of the proposed housing development set for completion in 2026 below.
The selected proposal includes a 30-unit, 3-storey modular building.
Timeline
- Collingwood Council (County presentation) – February 10, 2025
- Approved by County Council (approval of design and budget) – April 2025
- Community Information Sessions – July 15, 2025
- Collingwood Public Meeting (proposed zoning change) – September 15, 2025
- Demolition – beginning September 15, 2025
- Because this is a modular build, it is much quicker: the new building is anticipated to be ready for occupancy by 2026, subject to change
Floor plans and layout
The proposed ground floor includes:
- Tenant common room with direct access to the outdoor patio amenity area
- On-site Community Housing office
- Community Program Room
- Indoor bike and scooter storage
- Indoor garbage and recycling
Frequently Asked Questions
It is expected that most rents will be at 80% of Average Market Rent (AMR – Collingwood)
Using current rents, 80% of Average Market Rent would be:
- Studio: $816
- 1 Bedroom: $1,047
- 2 Bedroom: $1,231
- 3 Bedroom: $1,357
The SCHC owns and operates several affordable rental properties in the Town of Collingwood. Prior to site development at Birch Street the current tenants will be offered a rental unit at another of the SCHC buildings and, once the new building is ready for occupancy, Birch Street residents will be provided with the ‘right of first refusal’, meaning the current tenants will have the option to move back to this location. Current residents’ rents will remain at current rates and prescribed Provincial annual indexes.
Feedback or questions from current tenants regarding tenant coordination and services can be submitted by email to dianne.tooth@simcoe.ca or by calling the Simcoe County Housing Corporation at 705-725-7215.
Feedback or questions about the proposed development can be submitted by email to rachelle.hamelin@simcoe.ca or by calling the Social Housing Department at 705-726-9300, extension 1485
Information on the site plan approval process can be received by contacting the Town of Collingwood at townhall@collingwood.ca or phoning 705-445-1030
Community Notices
The County of Simcoe is advising residents of their intent to demolish current buildings located at 29 and 45 Birch Street in Collingwood to make way for an affordable housing redevelopment planned on the site to provide more housing units to modest income households. This will be a controlled demolition, anticipated to begin during the week of September 15, 2025.
| PROJECT: | Demolition of buildings at 29 and 45 Birch Street to make way for more planned affordable housing units |
|---|---|
| Date | Beginning the week of September 15, 2025 |
| Location | 29 and 45 Birch Street Collingwood, ON |
| Details | This will be a controlled demolition, beginning the week of September 15th and safety is a paramount consideration. Those who may be close to the demolition site are asked to maintain a safe distance (as marked on site), observe all safety protocols surrounding the site, and refrain from disrupting crews as they work on the site. |
Residents are invited to share input at Collingwood Council’s Public Meeting regarding the proposed zoning change for the Birch Street property on Monday, September 15, 2025, at approximately 2:00 p.m. (during the regular Collingwood Council meeting).
Participation is available in-person or via Zoom.
For further details about this meeting visit: https://www.collingwood.ca/governance-engagement/news-notices/notice-public-meeting-proposed-zoning-change-29-45-birch-street.
The County of Simcoe and Town of Collingwood are inviting interested community members to join us on July 15th for our Community Information Sessions on the affordable housing redevelopment planned on Birch Street in Collingwood. These sessions are opportunities for local residents and businesses to ask questions and learn more about this exciting project.
| EVENT: | Birch Street Community Information Sessions |
| Date | Tuesday, July 15, 2025 |
| Time | Session 1: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Session 2: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. |
| Location | 485 Second Street, Common Room (accessed through the parking lot) Collingwood, ON |
| Details | These sessions are for community members to ask questions and learn more about the planned redevelopment of 29 and 45 Birch Street in Collingwood. Both sessions are considered “drop-in”, meaning residents are welcome to arrive and depart at any point during either session. |
