The Township uses the Housing Wheelhouse framework, originally developed by the City of Kelowna and adapted for local application, to reflect the evolving nature of housing needs throughout different stages of life. Unlike the traditional linear housing continuum, the Housing Wheelhouse acknowledges that housing pathways are non-linear and should align with a community’s socioeconomic and demographic diversity. It moves away from the assumption that all households have the goal of market home ownership, recognizing instead that housing needs may change in response to shifting personal, economic, and health circumstances.

The model reframes transitional housing instead as short-term supportive housing. Short-term supportive housing reflects the role of time limited accommodation paired with services that provide stability during periods of transition. Long-term supportive housing recognizes that some individuals may require ongoing or indefinite supports to maintain housing security. For some individuals, including those requiring assisted living or residential care, long-term supportive housing may represent the most appropriate and stable form of accommodation rather than a transitional step towards market home ownership.

By adopting the Housing Wheelhouse model, the Township affirms a more inclusive and realistic understanding of community housing needs. The framework reinforces the importance of planning for a diverse and balanced housing mix that accommodates varying levels of affordability, accessibility, and support across the lifespan.

Within this framework, the Housing Action Plan will primarily focus on areas where the Township has the greatest opportunity to influence outcomes through municipal planning, policy, regulatory, financial, and incentivization tools, particularly within the affordable, below-market, and market rental and ownership aspects of the housing system.

Other components of the housing system, including homelessness response, emergency shelter, short-term and long-term supportive housing, and deeply affordable housing delivery, remain critically important; however, these areas are the responsibility of Wellington County in its role as Consolidated Municipal Service Manager.

Affordable housing is often discussed as though it represents a singular form of housing; however, affordability exists across a spectrum and may look different depending on individual household income, tenure, and housing needs.

Generally, affordable housing refers to housing that can be accessed without households spending more than 30% of their gross income on shelter costs. Affordable housing may include both rental and ownership options and may occur within both market and non-market contexts.

In June 2024, the Provincial government introduced a Provincial Bulletin, which provides affordable home ownership or affordable rental prices for each municipality across Ontario and is updated annually.

For Centre Wellington, an affordable home ownership price is set at or below $461,800. The Province also set affordable rents at or below the following:

• Studio (bachelor) unit: $1,317

• One-bedroom unit: $1,298

• Two-bedroom unit: $1,562

• Three-bedroom+ unit: $1,637

Alleviating housing pressures and addressing the housing crisis requires coordinated and collaborative efforts across all levels of government, non-profit housing providers, and the development industry. In this context, the Township plays an important role in shaping the right conditions under which housing is delivered. The Township cannot directly control broader market forces or private development and investment decisions. The Township also does not directly deliver social housing; Wellington County is the Consolidated Municipal Service Manager responsible for administering social and affordable housing programs in Centre Wellington. The Township’s role includes:

• Establishing land use policy through the Official Plan

• Regulating development through the Zoning By-law

• Reviewing development applications and building permits

• Planning for growth, intensification, and complete communities

• Supporting a broader range of housing forms and tenures

• Connecting developers and landowners to financial incentive programs, such as the Community Improvement Plan

• Utilizing municipal land to support affordable housing development

• Streamlining and improving municipal and development processes

• Creating strong partnerships to support affordable housing delivery

• Advocating to other levels of government on housing needs

The Housing Action Plan will help clarify where the Township can lead directly, support and facilitate housing outcomes, and build collaborative and partnership-based approaches.

While it is unknown what the outcomes and recommendations arising from the Housing Action Plan will be, it may explore:

• Housing supply and housing diversity

• Affordable and attainable housing

• Rental housing and ownership opportunities

• Additional Residential Units

• Planning policy, zoning, and process improvements

• Development review and approvals processes

• Financial and non-financial incentives

• Barriers affecting housing delivery

• Partnerships, collaboration, and advocacy opportunities

• Implementation and monitoring approaches

• Future municipal priorities and actions

The scope of the project will continue to evolve as technical work, analysis, and future engagement activities are undertaken.

Housing conversations are often complex because they involve balancing growth, affordability, infrastructure, neighbourhood character, environmental sustainability, economic development, and community well-being simultaneously.

The Housing Action Plan represents an opportunity to approach these conversations thoughtfully, collaboratively, and proactively within the Township of Centre Wellington’s local context.

This page will continue to be updated as the project progresses and as additional information, project materials, and future opportunities for participation become available.