The District of Muskoka is considering the creation of a District-owned corporation to own and operate a robotics factory to deliver non-market housing faster.
According to District of Muskoka Chair Jeff Lehman, the initiative aims to get people into homes faster, save Muskoka taxpayers more than $20 million, create 30 manufacturing jobs in the region, and use Ontario lumber in the construction process.
“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made on housing across the District. However, this is not enough. For many people, the wait is still too long to find a safe, affordable place to live,” said Jeff Lehman, Chair of the District of Muskoka. “We must think differently and act boldly to save taxpayer dollars and build housing faster. We have a unique opportunity and the time to act is now.”
Lehman said the initiative will help reduce the more than 700 households currently on the waiting list for subsidized housing in Muskoka.
He said the proposal would see the District partner with a private-sector company to build a new modular housing production facility that would be owned by the District.
According to Lehman, the facility will be operated by a Municipal Services Corporation with a skills-based board and professional staff, rather than as a municipal department.
Officials said that by targeting non-market housing, the District will not compete with the private sector, allowing it to offer units at least 20 per cent below average market rents.
The community is encouraged to provide feedback on the initiative by completing a survey available on the District’s website. The survey closes on Aug, 7.
