Nancy Alcock, Chair of the District of Muskoka’s Community and Planning Services Committee, called the news they’ve been denied funding for a three-storey, 18-unit building near The Pine Long-Term Care Home in Bracebridge a “huge disappointment.”
In Feb. 2023, the district, working together with the Town of Bracebridge, applied through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) for funding through its Rapid Housing Initiative. A report at the time estimated the project would cost $8.4 million of which the district would cover $3.3 million – 40 percent – and CMHC would cover the dollars.
The building was proposed to be built near 102 Pine St. with half of the units for senior women.
It was floated during the Feb. council meeting that a fourth storey could be added with an additional eight one-bedroom units.
“Staff are going to continue to look for further funding and financing options,” said Alcock.
Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney asked if staff received feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the application.
Arfona Zwiers, Commissioner of Community and Planning Services, said they have multiple meetings in the coming weeks with representatives from CMHC and they will discuss what went wrong.
She advised council staff is already working on other funding models; however, they’re also planning for next year’s budget deliberations. Zwiers said to expect a report in front of council by the fall on the strengths and weaknesses of the application and next steps.
“We really are shovel-ready,” said Zwiers.
Ahead of submitting a proposal months ago, she told council that Toronto-based Montgomery Sisam Architects had already been chosen to design the building.
She mentioned that they received site approval on Tuesday, which gives them another boost as they continue to push for funding.
“We know housing is the top priority across the district,” said District Chair Jeff Lehman. “We need to start building places to live in Muskoka.”
