NEWS RELEASE
COUNTY OF SIMCOE
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County Council continues to invest in strategies to develop new social housing units and has recommitted funds to support homeowners in creating secondary or garden suites. As part of its 2018 Budget, the County is providing $635,000 in additional funding to grow and expand this program.
These County funds will complement $300,000 already dedicated through federal and provincial funds for creation of secondary and/or garden suites this year, bringing the total available funding close to $1 million for 2018.
“With 900 new affordable housing units already created since 2014, our Council is committed to helping our staff reach our target of creating 2,685 new units by 2024,” said Warden Gerry Marshall. “Our Secondary Suites program is a win-win for everyone as it provides added incentive to our homeowners to be part of the solution, while contributing to our affordable housing goals across all our communities – particularly smaller or rural hamlets and villages where larger builds aren’t as feasible.”
The program provides financial support in the form of a forgivable loan, up to a maximum of $25,000, to create a secondary or garden suite. These new units will then be placed in the social housing rental system.
Funding will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or to apply to the Secondary and Garden Suite program, visit www.simcoe.ca/ontariorenovates.
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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