The "Big Move on Housing" plan is an 8-year plan to help create more housing across Muskoka.
District Council has committed up to $35.125 million to support housing projects and partnerships that help reduce homelessness, expand affordable housing and support future housing growth.
The plan supports the District’s 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan, Council priorities and input received from the Muskoka Housing Task Force 2.0.
On this page
- Understand the focus areas of The Big Move
- Learn about the goals of the plan
- Explore key projects supported by The Big Move
Understand the focus areas of The Big Move
The Big Move focuses housing investments across 3 key areas.
Deepest need
This focus area supports people experiencing homelessness, people at risk of homelessness and households waiting for community housing.
Investments focus on:
- reducing chronic homelessness
- increasing affordable and deeply affordable housing
- supporting Muskoka residents who are experiencing the greatest housing needs
Attainable market-based housing
This focus area supports projects that help increase housing supply across Muskoka.
Investments focus on:
- purpose-built rental housing
- partnerships with the private development sector
- not-for-profit housing development
- increasing housing options in communities across Muskoka, including rural and smaller communities
Capacity building
This focus area supports Muskoka’s ability to build more housing over the long term.
Investments focus on:
- skilled trades education
- housing innovation and construction approaches
- workforce development
- modular and alternative housing opportunities
Learn about the goals of the plan
The Big Move aims to:
- support people across a range of housing needs
- increase affordable housing supply in Muskoka
- strengthen local capacity to build housing
- leverage provincial and federal funding opportunities
- support partnerships and community investment
- invest in communities across Muskoka, including rural and smaller communities
Key projects supported by The Big Move
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100 Pine Street, Bracebridge affordable housing development (Deepest need) |
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The 100 Pine Street development in Bracebridge brings 44 new affordable housing units to the community, including 14 barrier-free units. The building supports people on community housing waitlists and people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The new building is located directly beside McVittie Place, an 80-unit affordable housing building for seniors that was built by the District in 2011. Construction is now complete, and the first residents moved into their new homes in early 2026. |
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575 First Street, Gravenhurst transitional housing development (Deepest need) |
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A new transitional housing development at 575 First Street in downtown Gravenhurst will provide 6 private, self-contained studio units for people experiencing homelessness. The units will offer a safe and stable place for residents to rebuild their lives while they transition to permanent housing. Occupancy is expected summer 2026.
Visit the 575 First Street project page
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Land acquisition and planning (Deepest need) |
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The District is exploring properties in several Muskoka communities to support future housing initiatives. More information will be shared as planning work progresses. |
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Additional Residential Units (Attainable market-based housing) |
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Additional residential units (ARUs) are self-contained living spaces located within or on the same property as a home. This can include basement apartments, garage suites or small standalone units. Through The Big Move, the District has increased funding for additional residential units in Muskoka. Eligible property owners may receive $40,000 or $50,000 per unit as an interest-free forgivable loan. The funding is provided through the Muskoka Affordable Housing Initiatives Program (MAHIP).
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5-year review of the Housing and Homelessness Plan (Attainable market-based housing) |
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The District is updating its 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan (HHP) and reviewing homelessness services across Muskoka. This work will help identify current housing needs, gaps in services and opportunities to improve housing and homelessness supports in the community.
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Additional partnerships (Capacity building) |
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The District is working with community partners to support housing development across Muskoka. This includes:
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