Rural Housing Opportunities

Rural Housing Information System
Currently, in rural Ontario, there is a shortage of proper housing data. The lack of adequate data is a barrier to the planning and construction of affordable housing development in the region. Through the Housing Supply Challenge, the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) is partnering with the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) and tech company, Itergy, to build a streamlined digital tool to fill the housing information gap: the Rural Housing Information System.
This locally driven tool will support municipalities, developers, and homebuilders in the planning and development of affordable housing. It also aims to support not for profit builders in overcoming information barriers regarding housing in rural communities. ROI and EOWC are building this tool by consolidating the information that is available through eastern Ontario municipalities’ existing resources. By having a consolidated effort for data acquisition, the RHIS can implement a streamlined approach to enhance the data collected in a centralize, digital platform. In the medium to long-term, this information will be used to appropriately strategize housing development plans, bringing appropriate affordable housing to the region and keep residents in their communities of choice.
The RHIS will harness data through an easy-to-use public dashboard, that will include:
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- demographic trends (population, growth, age and income)
- average home and market rental information
- available zoned land
- building costs (development charges and parkland fees)
- available incentives like municipal grants or loans
- housing assets and amenities
- and local organizations available for collaboration.
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This project is funded through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Supply Challenge, with rollout of the tool expected for the Spring of 2023.

Assessing the economic development implications of the pandemic on Ontario’s rural communities, from population growth to housing and more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in rural migration, demand for rural housing and rural house prices. The trend is not unique to Ontario and there are reports of similar trends occurring across Canada and the United States. This workshop will provide an opportunity for participants to discuss and better understand these trends and their economic development implications.
Additional Housing Resources
- Homelessness and Hidden Homelessness in Rural and Northern Ontario
- Household Income vs. Household prices – Huron County
- Rural Ontario’s Population Growth During COVID-19, Fad or Trend – Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
- Small Towns, Big Opportunities – Strategy Corp
- Workshop Breakout Room Discussion Summary-Economic Development Impacts of the Pandemic on Ontario’s Rural Communities
Thank you to our Partners!
EOWC: Supports and advocates on behalf of the property taxpayers across rural Eastern Ontario. Covers an area of 45,000 square kilometres from Cobourg to the Quebec border, and includes 13 upper-tier and single-tier municipalities as well as 90 local municipalities.
CMHC: Canada’s national housing agency, and state-owned mortgage insurer. Mission to make housing affordable for everyone in Canada. Mobilizing the expertise and energy of governments, non-profits, lenders, developers, social entrepreneurs and co-ops to create the future of housing. CMHC is the primary funder of the RHIS project and development.
Consulting firm founded to help mid-sized businesses and large corporations improve the reliability, security and performance of their Microsoft infrastructure

Who's Listening
Rural Ontario Institute
Upcoming Activities & Events
The development of this tool will require input from municipalities and other stakeholders. This input will be critical for ensuring that the tool functions as intended in addressing the rural housing information gap.
Sept. 14-16
Eastern Ontario Municipal Conference
In person conference in Cornwall.
Oct. 18
Rural talks to rural
In person conference in Brussels, ON.
Nov. 22
National Housing Day
Jan. 22-24
ROMA Annual General Meeting
January 2023, in person conference in Toronto ON.
Contact Us
If you are interested in learning more about the project or getting involved, please contact us.
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