Affordable housing? - Wasaga Chronicle

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Affordable housing?

Last Updated: January 14, 2024By Mark Winegarden

Affordable housing. This is an interesting topic and just like health care, it is not our (the municipalities) jurisdiction. However there are plenty of things that can be changed.

Several times a year we hear the debate about hotels and the condition of our present short term accommodation inventory. What does that have to do with affordable housing?

Well, many people do not realize that in many cases, the dated, tired inventory of “tourist accomodation” have been converted into low cost options for those with limited incomes.

These housing providers fall into two categories. One have converted their properties into full time 12 month accommodation. I applaud these owners as some of them are really trying to clean up the quality of their units.

Some, apparently get occupants to sign new agreements monthly to avoid regulation under the Landlord/ Tennant Act (or whatever it is called these days.) Still another group allow people to rent the units for 8-9 months of the year, then kick out the locals, who then often rough it outdoors or couch surf until fall and start the cycle again.

It was 2013 that a study was done to address these issues. The By-Law department and the Fire Department were seeking possible solutions. But the work of this group was eventually abandoned and never re-visited.

There are some interesting solutions available to us right now. The property on Zoo Park that is presently affordable housing has adjacent lands that would house an additional 99 units. That’s a lot of housing. But the County builds and manages these types of properties, so where are our leaders in actively, aggressively trying to get the County to build? We can donate the land if it’s not already in the Counties name.

Where is our town in trying to find solutions to those who spend the summers homeless because their units are rented out on a nightly rate to maximize income?

Hey, I’m all for making a buck. We all need to make a living. But there are two specific problems with the multi-use approach.

1- Those in need of housing the most are kicked to the curb when there are acts of legislation that are designed to protect them from such action. Sure, loopholes allow it, but it should be easy to close those loopholes and allow these neighbours to stay in their homes 12 months of the year.

2- The quality of the tourism accommodation is harmed as the landlord is not enticed to improve the properties to be competitive.

These problems have solutions, but the desire to resolve these issues has to be addressed.

I just want to add that this is all about the people requiring this housing. Most are hard working individuals struggling to provide for their families. In many cases, these people are just children. It’s hard to get ahead when single room cottages are renting for what we used to pay for luxury 2 or 3 bedroom apartments.

Make no mistake… tonight, there are people sleeping in tents here in Wasaga Beach. It’s not a wonder our food bank is so busy. The question is… what can we do? Is there appetite at the Council table to address it, or just let it slide because not enough people are screaming?

https://www.wasagabeach.com/en/home-and-property/resources/Tourism%20Accomodations%20Discussion%20Paper.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1hIftsaPUtieFRJX1fzTbm2mzNeLQcs9SsJUnS3bjAV976Niub_2QrE58

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