Bruce County Report:

More Than 4,000 New Homes Needed Over the Next Decade

A recently released housing report presented to Bruce County Council highlights a pressing need for new residential development across the region over the next decade and presents structured targets for meeting that demand through to 2036.

The report, prepared by SHS Inc. and shared with council in early January, concludes that 4,040 new housing units will be needed in Bruce County over the next ten years to support sustained population and employment growth.

What the Report Says

The housing targets are part of a long-term strategy to ensure the region’s housing supply keeps pace with demographic changes, market trends, and evolving resident needs. These units are spread across the full housing continuum — from market ownership and rental units to deeply affordable and supportive housing.

According to the projections:

• 52% of new units are expected to be homeownership homes and reflects ongoing demand for family homes and owner-occupied housing.
• 20% are projected as private rental units, helping address rental scarcity and affordability pressures.
• 15% will meet affordable rental and ownership needs for moderate-income households.
• 13% of the total is geared toward community, supportive, and transitional housing, providing critical support for vulnerable residents.

Why This Matters

Bruce County’s approach recognizes that simply building more homes isn’t enough — the right mix of housing types, sizes, and affordability levels must align with the needs of local households. Demand for medium- and higher-density housing has been rising, particularly among renters and smaller households, while families continue to seek traditional detached homeownership options.

Local officials stress that meeting these targets will require proactive collaboration across sectors. Municipal planning, affordable housing providers, non-profit organizations, and private developers all play a role in helping the County reach these benchmarks over the coming decade.

Looking Forward

The housing targets now serve as benchmarks to guide local planning and investment, feeding into the County’s upcoming ten-year Housing and Homelessness Plan and supporting ongoing initiatives under the current Housing Action Plan. As the region grows, this intentional planning effort aims to improve housing choice and affordability for residents at all stages of life. Geared to help first-time renters to growing families and seniors.

Here’s a link to the original article.