Keeping Muskoka Viable for Everyone

Muskoka is a special place. People come here for the lakes, the forests, and the sense of community that small-town life can offer. But Muskoka only truly works when the people who live and work here can afford to stay.

Right now, that’s becoming harder for too many of our neighbours. Seniors on fixed incomes, young families just starting out, seasonal and service workers, and low-income residents are all feeling the squeeze. Rents are rising, there are too few truly affordable units, and waitlists for geared-to-income housing are long. Some long-time residents are being forced to leave the communities they’ve called home for years.

If we want to keep Muskoka viable, we need to make sure that the people who keep this region running — from the folks working in our shops and restaurants, to the caregivers, tradespeople, and support staff — can actually live here. That’s not just a housing issue. It’s about the health of our local economy, our schools, and our community life.

What I’m Hearing from Residents

As I speak with people across Huntsville and the surrounding area, I’m hearing the same themes again and again:

Seniors worried about what happens when their rent goes up but their income doesn’t.

Young adults who grew up here but can’t find a place they can afford on local wages.

Families living in overcrowded or unstable housing because there are no better options.

Workers commuting long distances because they can’t find a home close to their job.

These aren’t abstract statistics. They’re real stories from our neighbours, and they point to a simple truth: if we don’t address housing affordability, we risk losing the very people who make Muskoka what it is.

A Common-Sense Approach to Housing

My commitment is straightforward: keep Muskoka viable for the people who live here now and for the next generation. That means taking a practical, common-sense approach to housing that respects our environment and community character while recognizing the urgency of the problem.

Here are some of the steps I support:

Protect Existing Affordable and Low-Income Housing

We can’t afford to lose the units we already have. I will support policies that protect existing low-income and geared-to-income housing from being converted or eliminated without real, workable alternatives in place.

Support Mixed-Income Housing in the Right Locations

Mixed-income developments — where market-rate and affordable units exist side by side — can help create stable, diverse communities. I will work to encourage these kinds of projects in appropriate areas, with proper infrastructure and community input.

Work with the District and Province for Funding

Municipalities can’t solve this alone. I will push for stronger partnerships with the District of Muskoka and the Province to secure funding and support for new affordable housing projects, supportive housing, and creative solutions like co-operative or non-profit housing.

Why This Matters for Our Future

Keeping Muskoka viable isn’t just about today’s housing market. It’s about what kind of community we want to be in 5, 10, or 20 years.

If we ignore housing affordability, we risk becoming a place where only a few can afford to live — a community of empty cottages in the off-season and fewer year-round families. That’s not the Muskoka I believe in.

I believe in a Muskoka where:

Seniors can age in place with dignity.

Young people can build their lives here, not just visit.

Workers can live close to where they work.

Families of all income levels can find a safe, stable home.

That’s what “keeping Muskoka viable” means to me.

I Want to Hear from You

Housing is a complex issue, and no single person has all the answers. The best ideas often come from the people living with these challenges every day.

If you or someone you know is struggling with housing in Muskoka — whether it’s rising rent, difficulty finding a place, or concerns about future affordability — I want to hear your story. Your experiences will help guide my work and ensure that council decisions reflect real community needs, not just numbers on a page.

You can reach out through the contact form on this site or by email at lelandgmaw@outlook.com. Together, we can work toward practical, compassionate solutions that keep Muskoka a place where everyone has a fair chance to live, work, and belong.

Leland

Let's Work Together!