New Housing Report Calls for Action to Unlock More Homes Across Central Ontario
- 42 minutes ago
- 2 min read
February 19, 2026, Guelph, ON — As housing affordability pressures continue to strain families across Central Ontario, the OnePoint Association of REALTORS® (“OnePoint”) has released an in-depth research report analyzing municipal housing policies across the region, highlighting measurable progress and setting out evidence-based recommendations to deliver more homes, faster.
The report, Building Homes, Strengthening Communities: A Review of Municipal Housing Policy Best Practices Across the OnePoint Region, evaluates ten municipalities across the OnePoint region against nationally recognized housing best practices established by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) under the Housing Accelerator Fund framework.
Across the region, average MLS® home prices have risen dramatically since 2017, while housing starts have declined by more than 50 percent since 2021. The result is a growing structural supply gap that is putting pressure on first-time buyers, young families, seniors, and local workers.
“Our research shows that municipalities across our region are not standing still,” said Jennifer Morley, President of the OnePoint Association of REALTORS®. “Many have modernized zoning, digitized permitting, launched incentive programs, and embraced intensification. The challenge now is to build on that progress with targeted reforms that unlock more housing supply, faster.”
Across Guelph, Centre Wellington, Kincardine, Stratford, Owen Sound, Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Midland, Orillia, and Bracebridge, the report finds municipalities are modernizing zoning, digitizing approvals, updating Community Improvement Plans, reducing parking minimums, and in several cases permitting four units as-of-right. Many are also leveraging municipal lands and targeted incentives to support rental and attainable housing. To build on this progress, the report finds that municipalities should be looking to expand four-units-as-of-right, refine development charge policies, fast-track affordable and rental projects, and pre-zone key corridors to move from policy reform to delivering more homes on the ground.
“The good news is that municipalities across our region have already laid much of the regulatory foundation for change,” said Katrina Steffler, Chief Executive Officer of OnePoint. “This report provides a clear roadmap to boost housing supply and improve affordability across all ten communities. By expanding as-of-right permissions, modernizing development charge policies, and prioritizing faster approvals for rental and attainable housing, municipalities can turn strong policy foundations into real homes for local families.”
The full report provides three tailored recommendations for each municipality, along with detailed scorecards and policy analysis.
About OnePoint Association of REALTORS®
The OnePoint Association of REALTORS® represents nearly 3,000 REALTORS® real estate professionals across mid-northern Ontario. Our members serve communities throughout Huron, Perth, Grey, Bruce, Wellington, Georgian Bay, Simcoe, Parry Sound, Haliburton, and Muskoka. Through research, advocacy, and collaboration with all levels of government, OnePoint works to advance policies that strengthen housing supply, protect home ownership opportunities, and build stronger communities.
Media Contact:
Jessica Olmstead
Manager of Public Relations & Communications
OnePoint Association of REALTORS®