Housing | Municipality of Kincardine

Housing Action Plan 2.0: The Road Map to Project 160

To support a coordinated and proactive approach to housing, Council established a Housing Ad Hoc Committee to guide the development of a Housing Action Plan 2.0 and identify actions the Municipality can take to increase housing supply, diversity and affordability.

The Committee consisted of Mayor Craig, Deputy Mayor Hinchberger, Councillors Prenger and Blackwell.

The work of the Ad Hoc Committee included the following tasks:

Conducting a scan of both reports and data housing research and data,
Reviewing current and proposed residential development,
Inviting input - from individuals and groups to offer insights and guidance
Hosting a community conversation on housing

Based on the information reviewed, the Committee identified a clear mismatch between the Municipality of Kincardine’s existing housing supply and community needs. The committee found that Housing is dominated by single-detached homes, while demand for smaller, rental, multi-unit and below-market housing is growing. Affordability pressures are particularly significant for single-person households, seniors and single-parent families.

In response, the Committee prioritized below-market housing and established Project 160 - a target of creating 160 new below-market rental and ownership units with monthly housing costs between $1,088 and $1,740. These 160 residential units would be created throughout the municipality – not in one location.

Who is this housing is intended to support?

Residents from the Municipality of Kincardine
Single parent families
Seniors
Single person households
People working in retail

The Housing Action Plan 2.0 provides the roadmap to Project 160, identifying the policies, financial tools, municipal land opportunities, partnerships and actions the Municipality can use to help achieve the target.

Project 160 Is about creating housing that helps to:

Retain local workforce
Support seniors and retain youth
Help families stay local
Sustain local businesses

Together, Project 160 and Housing Action Plan 2.0 provide a clear direction for advancing housing priorities into 2027, while allowing the incoming Council to align future actions with its strategic priorities and evolving community needs.

Housing Action Plan 2.0

Community Conversation Recap: Creating Affordable Housing

On July 7, 2026, more than 60 residents joined Council, housing professionals, and community leaders at the Davidson Centre for a Community Conversation on creating affordable housing in the Municipality of Kincardine.

Overview

The conversation explored how we can work together to create 160 affordable homes and support a welcoming, vibrant, and attainable community. Participants shared perspectives on housing supply, affordability, and moving from "Not in My Backyard (NIMBY)" to "Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY)."

The Municipality extends its thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to this respectful and thoughtful discussion, including guest speakers:

Jennifer van Gennip, Director of Communications & Advocacy- Redwood Park Communities
Ryan Deska, Strategic Initiatives Consultant on Housing - Community Foundation Grey Bruce
Joel MacCallum, Executive Director - Ainslie Wood Housing Co-op
Members of the Ad Hoc Council Committee on Housing

Event Materials

If you were unable to attend, or would like to revisit the discussion, the event materials are available below:

Continue the Conversation: Project 160 – Building Community Together

The Municipality of Kincardine is growing. By 2046, our population is projected to increase from just over 12,000 residents to more than 15,000, creating a need for approximately 900 additional residential units. This projection does not yet account for potential impacts from the Bruce C Project, which could further increase housing demand in our community.

To help address local housing needs, Council’s vision is to work together to create 160 new below-market rental and ownership residential units with a monthly housing cost between $1,088 and $1,740.

Project 160: Building Community Together is about creating housing opportunities that help to:

Retain the local workforce
Support seniors and retain youth
Help young families stay local
Sustain local businesses
Strengthen community vitality

Housing is about more than buildings. It’s about affordability, community character, local jobs, seniors, young families, the economy, and the future we want for the Municipality of Kincardine.

We want to understand what residents are thinking—not just whether you support or oppose different housing options. Your feedback will help shape the conversation and identify where more information, dialogue, and common ground may be needed.

Complete the Project 160: Building Community Together survey

Survey responses are anonymous. If you have questions, need additional information, or would like a paper copy of the survey, please contact Lorie Fioze at lfioze@kincardine.ca or 519-396-3468.

Complete the Housing Survey

Welcome Home

The Municipality of Kincardine is growing carefully and steadily, with the population expected to increase from just over 12,000 to more than 15,000 by 2046. That means nearly 900 new homes are needed to meet demand—yet most of our housing stock remains single-detached homes, limiting affordability and choice. From townhomes and duplexes to small apartments and additional dwelling units on existing properties, diverse housing is essential to keeping the community vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable.

From young adults to seniors, new Canadians to long-time community members, people are struggling to find rental or ownership options that allow them to move out on their own, downsize in their retirement, have enough room for their growing family, or move here to start an exciting new job.

These are our neighbours, co-workers, and friends. We need to keep them here to keep our economy strong. Businesses are losing workers that provide the services we all rely on for our health, wellbeing, leisure and community prosperity.

Here are 10 reasons why diverse housing matters in the Municipality of Kincardine:

1. Support local jobs and economy

Local employers and small businesses struggle to attract and retain staff due to housing shortages. Diverse housing ensures workers can live where they work, keeping our economy strong, and our services running.

2. Attract new talent and innovation

Welcoming newcomers with a range of housing choices brings new skills, perspectives, and innovation to the Municipality of Kincardine, enriching our community and economy.

3. Welcome young people to stay

Without affordable starter homes or rentals, young adults leave here to find housing elsewhere. Diverse housing helps them stay, contribute, and build their futures in the community they love.

4. Make housing more affordable

Seasonal workers and year-round staff need places to live. A mix of housing options means more access to short-term jobs, more open shops, restaurants, and attractions for residents and visitors alike.

5. Strengthen community volunteerism

When people live near their work, they have more time to volunteer, participate in events, and support local causes, making the community a more connected and caring place.

6. Reduce pressure on social services

Housing stress contributes to mental health issues, food insecurity, and poverty. Diverse, affordable housing options reduce these pressures and allows social services to focus on those most in need.

7. Preserve our lakeside character

Smart and strategic infill development in existing neighbourhoods helps meet housing needs without sprawling into natural areas. This helps preserve Municipality of Kincardine’s lakeside charm and keeps infrastructure costs lower.

8. Help seniors stay local

Many older residents want to downsize but can’t find suitable homes. More compact, accessible housing allows them to remain independent and connected to their community.

9. Boost local tourism and retail

With 80% of homes in the Municipality of Kincardine being single-detached, prices are high. Adding townhomes, duplexes, and apartments creates choices for all income levels and life stages.

10. A rich community culture

Welcoming new people here by having enough housing options brings their diverse experiences, customs, and knowledge to share with our community. Neighbourhoods become more inclusive, interesting, and connected.

11. BONUS! It’s the right thing to do

Diverse housing reflects our values of inclusion, fairness, and community. It ensures that everyone, from newcomers to lifelong residents, can find a home.

Download the Top 10 Reasons We Need Diverse Housing in the Municipality of Kincardine

Exploring Solutions to Housing Shortages

BuildingIN Housing Barriers and Opportunities Report

Working to address the housing shortage and explore potential solutions, the BuildingIN Housing Barriers and Opportunities Report was completed to assess the potential for housing development within the Municipality of Kincardine.

BuildingIN reviewed the Municipality’s current planning policies, infrastructure capacity for water and sewer services, and mapping including size and location of lots within the boundaries of Kincardine’s Local Official Plan. Specifically lands that are provided with full municipal services.

The goal of the review was to find areas within the Municipality with opportunity for infill development by utilizing existing municipal roads and services. The report also gives suggestions on zoning and official plan policy changes that would add permitted housing types to more zones without requiring planning applications site specifically.

View the presentation that was provided to Council on August 13th, 2025.

OnePoint Report

The OnePoint report (Building Homes, Strengthening Communities: A Review of municipal housing policy best practices across the one point region) evaluates the housing policies of the ten largest municipalities using the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Ten Housing Accelerator Fund Best Practices.

The Municipality of Kincardine was one of the municipalities evaluated and the results of this review can be found on pages 20 to 23.

Review the OnePoint Report.

A Housing Crunch and a Hunger for Change

The A Housing Crunch and a Hunger for Change survey report presents research on residents' perspectives related to housing, affordability, quality of life, real estate, and municipal election issues in Owen Sound, Kincardine, and Collingwood.

Commissioned by the One Point Association of REALTORS® and conducted by Nanos Research, the survey gathered responses from 769 residents between April 18 and 28, 2026.

Review the survey report.

Flourish Report

The Municipality of Kincardine, in partnership with Bruce County, Women’s House and Community Living, engaged Flourish to develop a business plan to support the creation of much needed affordable housing in the Municipality of Kincardine. The study explored the potential of both municipally owned land and privately owned property identified by a potential partner.

The goal of the report is to provide a development pro forma for affordable and mixed rental housing in the community, aligned with key funding sources and available local resources.

Review the Flourish Report.

Housing Development

With growing industries and businesses, the Municipality of Kincardine is working to increase the housing supply and expand the range of housing options available in the community. The Municipality of Kincardine is interested in working with developers to address local housing shortages, challenges, and needs.

Several new subdivisions are currently underway in Kincardine, Tiverton, and Inverhuron - approximately 1,700 new residential units. These represent a mix of single family homes, semis, condominiums, and apartments.

If you have any questions or proposals you'd like to discuss with us, please e-mail us or call 519-396-3468.

Bruce County Housing Services

Bruce County's Housing Services Division manages the administration and directly provides housing supports, services, and programs.

Learn more about the County's Housing Toolkit for Developers

Homelessness and Encampment Response

The Municipality of Kincardine works in partnership with Bruce County Human Services, which is responsible for housing and homelessness services in our region.

Bruce County has developed a Homelessness and Encampment Response Protocol to support a coordinated, compassionate, and safety-focused approach when responding to individuals experiencing homelessness.

If you are concerned about the well-being of someone who is unhoused, or if you encounter a homelessness encampment, please contact:

YMCA Rural Housing & Homelessness Outreach

519-371-9222
housing@osgb.ymca.ca

After-hours emergency shelter support:

Call 211

In an emergency or if someone is in immediate distress:

Call 911

For more information on available services and supports, visit:

Bruce County Homelessness Services