Amid the ongoing struggle for accessible housing across Ontario, Simcoe County remains embroiled in its own housing crisis, highlighting the pressing need for affordable living. On Wednesday, an event organized by the Barrie and District Canadian Federation of University Women, the City of Barrie, and the County of Simcoe focused on affordability. Mina Fayez-Bahgat, the General Manager of Social and Community Services for the County of Simcoe, underscored the escalating demand for solutions, "that's no doubt on every level of affordable housing." The County surpassed its affordable housing targets between 2014 and 2022, creating over 2,500 units, but community groups say more needs to be done to house an increasing population. Carol Philips from the Canadian Federation of University Women highlighted the middle demographic, emphasizing the urgency to initiate discussions to address their housing needs. "People will come forward with some creative solutions to affordable housing that are not just about building more houses or putting up apartment buildings that are still too high for some families," Philips noted. The organization highlighted one proposed solution involving increasing coop developments. "It's really about self-governance. They operate a little like a condominium so that everyone there has some say, but there is no landlord dictating, and unlike a condo, you don't have to buy in, so it's owned by a non-profit organization," explained Celia Chandler, the deputy executive director of the Cooperative Housing Federation Toronto. The forum also allowed those attending to share their own housing experiences and seek advice from community leaders on how to qualify for upcoming housing initiatives. Organizers from the forum said the event is one of many steps needed for the future when planning potential affordable housing projects and creating collaboration between community groups and the County to ease the housing crisis locally.
