West Nipissing Housing Strategy

Planning & Policy

Municipality of West Nipissing

West Nipissing, Ontario

2022-2023

Colliers Project Leaders

Re:Public developed a 10-year housing needs and development strategy to guide decision-making and resource allocation in addressing housing challenges in West Nipissing. This strategy responds to general trends emerging in many municipalities, such as high costs, low vacancy rates, and a lack of diversity in new housing forms, particularly the disproportionate representation of market ownership housing within the housing continuum. Based on extensive background research, analysis, and community engagement, the West Nipissing Housing Strategy estimated the housing needs for the next decade, including the existing deficit at the time of the assessment. It defined affordability for various population and household groups based on the Area Median Income (AMI) and established a collective housing vision, overarching objectives, and an action plan with recommended implementation timelines. This guidance will help the municipality in achieving its housing objectives and assist with budgeting, planning, and resource allocation.

A vision and objectives to tackle housing needs in the community over the next ten years.

“West Nipissing is a community where all residents have a place to call home that is suited to their needs, regardless of income, household size, age, or ability.”

Understanding the West Nipissing Housing Landscape

The Strategy began with a detailed assessment of West Nipissing’s housing system, bringing together demographic and market trends, existing housing stock, social housing, municipal land assets, and the policy framework shaping development. Population and housing forecasts were then used to understand how existing needs could evolve as the community grows.

Three growth scenarios were tested over the 10-year planning horizon. A moderate-growth scenario of 3% was selected as the basis for estimating housing need, providing the Municipality with a clear and realistic target for future planning.

Objectives and Vision Translated Into Action

The findings were translated into a set of objectives and specific actions the Municipality can advance through policy, investment, partnerships, and its own land and resources. Each action identifies key considerations and an implementation timeline based on its scale, complexity, and level of effort.

Together, the vision, objectives, and action plan give West Nipissing a practical framework for making decisions, directing resources, and expanding the range of housing available across the community.