In a significant step toward addressing the local housing crisis, Owen Sound City Council has approved the transfer of City-owned lands adjacent to Bayfield Landing to the Owen Sound Housing Company Limited (OSHCL). The decision, made at the July 21 Council meeting, marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration between the City of Owen Sound, Grey County, and the Province of Ontario to develop new affordable housing.
The site, recently acquired with support from Grey County and the provincial government, will be used to build the type of housing most in demand on Grey County’s affordable housing waitlist. It’s a targeted solution for individuals and families experiencing housing insecurity in the community.
Mayor Ian Boddy emphasized the importance of partnership in tackling the housing crisis.
“Access to safe, affordable housing is one of the most urgent challenges facing our community, and we’re taking action. Through collaboration with Grey County, the Province, and the Owen Sound Housing Company Limited, we are turning public land into a public good," added Boddy. "This partnership is a powerful example of what can happen when all levels of government come together with a shared purpose: to build a stronger, more inclusive Owen Sound, one home at a time.”
The project reflects Owen Sound’s ongoing commitment to strategic, community-focused development. By leveraging municipal land and working closely with nonprofit and government partners, the City aims to deliver real solutions for residents who are struggling to find stable, affordable housing.
“Our government is pleased to help support the development of more affordable housing in the City of Owen Sound,” said Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure. “We’re building stronger communities by turning underused properties into much-needed housing, long-term care homes and other social infrastructure.”
The initiative is seen as a local model of effective intergovernmental cooperation, showcasing how shared responsibility and resource alignment can produce tangible results for residents. City officials say the land transfer is just the beginning of a broader push to make housing more accessible and equitable in Owen Sound.
Councillors also supported an amendment to ensure the name of former Councillor and affordable housing advocate Peter Lemon will be used for a building or the whole complex.
