District of Muskoka establishes Housing Task Force ad hoc committee

District of Muskoka’s Housing Task Force (MHTF) 2.0 functions as an advisory body to the District and explores and recommend strategies and opportunities for a range of housing options across Muskoka. The MHTF 2.0 recognizes that solving the housing crisis will take multi-levels of government and community wide efforts – we cannot do this alone. Our role is to advocate and drive forward changes collaboratively. We believe in a community that includes housing for everyone.

With a focus on attainable housing, the Task Force mandate focuses on four areas:

Research and Evaluation: Update members’ knowledge and understanding of the planning and financial tools to support the maintenance of attainable housing, as well as policies and programs to encourage attainable housing development in Muskoka, based on emerging best practices and funding opportunities.
Implementation and Demonstration: Undertake, facilitate, or support activities and projects that support the creation or maintenance of attainable housing in Muskoka, including seeking funding sources and participating directly in the delivery of policies, projects or programs that result in increasing housing supply or reducing barriers;
Foster Collaboration: Identify opportunities that support the development and maintenance of attainable housing through collaboration with the federal and provincial governments, area Municipalities, Muskoka residents, financial and housing development partners, as well as other businesses, agencies and institutions with an interest in the attainable housing needs of Muskoka residents;
Information Sharing and Outreach: Recommend to Community and Planning Services Committee (CPS), Muskoka District Council, area Municipal Councils and the wider public actions for implementation and advocacy related to attainable housing in Muskoka; and
Research and Evaluation: Update members’ knowledge and understanding of the planning and financial tools to support the maintenance of attainable housing, as well as policies and programs to encourage attainable housing development in Muskoka, based on emerging best practices and funding opportunities.