The number of people in Muskoka needing assistance for emergency and transitional housing has doubled since 2019, and the number of shelter nights has increased by 607 per cent from 2019 to 2022, according to a District of Muskoka report.
Emergency rooms in motels and shelters have seen an increase in the number of people applying since the pandemic.
Muskoka Interval House in Bracebridge can no longer meet demand.
“We — shelter staff — have found over the past couple of years that many of the women’s stays here are longer than in the past, which is usually directly related to the lack of safe housing. Affordable options were scant pre-pandemic, but COVID-19 slowed things down,” Muskoka Women’s Shelters and Services executive director Rachelle Walker wrote in an email.
“Many homes that used to have a basement apartment were up for sale because of the good market for sellers. Losing those apartments and room rental options had a knock-on effect, and meant the least expensive apartments were more and more expensive.”
Even the cheapest options, like single rooms and shared houses, are still costly and unsafe. Single rooms are not always an option for women with children or pets, making finding a roof even more complicated.
Although the 15 rooms in the shelter are usually occupied, the organization offers more services than just shelter.
“Although we have had to turn many women away from our shelters due to lack of space, we always work with women to find other safe options. It’s essential that women know this information and that we will help as much as possible,” Walker said.
“Sometimes, a woman will choose to stay put until space opens up, so staff will help her assess her risk and do some safety planning with her. Women are welcome to call either shelter any time, even to talk. We have staff 24-7.”
The solution to housing vulnerable citizens is not just a matter of building aimlessly.
“In Muskoka, about 6,500 already approved units have yet to be developed. Many of those have been on the books for 10 years. But those are the higher-end developments that will happen over time as the supply and demand of that type of housing are required,” said Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney.
“That is where the challenge is. It’s not just building more houses, but creating housing that addresses the most vulnerable in our community.”
Maloney said housing is a top priority for this term of council and the construction of new residences must also create community. An example of this is what is planned for the arena site.
“We’re going to be vacating an arena sooner than later in the next year. And we’ve made it very clear as a council that the former site of the arena is ideally situated to help address the housing crisis in our community.
“We’ve had discussions with organizations like the Muskoka Land Trust on how they envision opportunities to bring affordable, attainable, both rental and ownership accommodation. Any time that we can take advantage of using existing municipal land, and being a partner with developers and people that are bringing proposals together to bring more housing stock online, then we’re going to be part of that.”
Muskoka Women’s Shelters and Services can be reached by calling 705-645-4461 or online at mwag.ca/.
By Julian Orlando Chaves – Bracebridge Examiner – June 3, 2023