BarrieVotes.ca 2026 municipal election

Housing

Barrie pledged to facilitate 23,000 new homes by 2031. The province keeps score, and its own numbers show the city clearing the 2023 target and missing the 2024 one. That reversal, and what the City can actually do about it, is the housing argument in this election.

The pledge

In the City's own words: "In February 2023, the City of Barrie pledged to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to facilitate the construction of 23,000 housing units by 2031. At the time of the pledge, the City had 13,916 housing units approved."

The verb matters. A municipality approves; builders build. The City's own pledge page says so plainly, noting that "approximately 30% of all units approved since 2015 have been constructed". A council can change zoning, fees and process; it cannot start a crane.

Source: Municipal Housing Pledge (City of Barrie page), City of Barrie, dated February 1, 2023. Original document. The pledge in the City's own words: 23,000 units by 2031, made February 2023, with 13,916 units already approved at the time. Also states that "approximately 30% of all units approved since 2015 have been constructed" — the City's own account of why approvals and completions are different measures. Retrieved August 11, 2026.

The province's scorecard

Barrie against its provincial housing target, from Ontario's published dataset
YearTarget ProgressPercentage Province's status
20231,6871,716101.72% Exceeded
20241,9171,45976.11% Not met

Sources: Ontario's housing supply progress, January–December 2023 (dataset), Government of Ontario — data.ontario.ca, dated December 31, 2023. Original document. The province's own scorecard. Barrie row verbatim: "Barrie,23000,3991,1687,1716,101.72%,Exceeded". Ontario's housing supply progress, January–December 2024 (dataset), Government of Ontario — data.ontario.ca, dated December 31, 2024. Original document. Barrie row verbatim: "Barrie,23000,5450,1917,1459,76.11%,Not met". The same series that recorded 101.72% for 2023. All retrieved August 11, 2026.

Cumulative progress toward the 23,000 total was 3,991 units after 2023 and 5,450 after 2024, both as published in the same dataset. Note what the cumulative figure implies: it exceeds the 2023 annual progress of 1,716 by 2,275 units, so the province's running total counts units from before the first annual target year — the dataset does not state its starting point, and this site reproduces the figures without reconciling them. The province has not published a 2025 figure, so this table stops at 2024 rather than estimating a third year.

What the 2023 result was worth

Clearing the target carried money. In March 2024 the province announced $6,344,201 for Barrie through the Building Faster Fund, on the basis that the city had "exceeded its 2023 housing target, breaking ground on a total of 1,716 new housing units last year". The fund pays municipalities reaching at least 80% of their annual target. Barrie's 2024 result of 76.11% falls below that threshold. Whether that cost Barrie a 2024-year Building Faster Fund allocation is the obvious next question; this site has not located a document stating whether an allocation was made or withheld, and says so rather than inferring one.

Source: Ontario Rewards Barrie With $6.34 Million for Exceeding 2023 Housing Targets, Government of Ontario — Premier's Office, dated March 15, 2024. Original document. States the payment ($6,344,201), the 1,716 starts behind it, and the Building Faster Fund's 80%-of-target payment threshold. The canonical page is JS-rendered; text via api.news.ontario.ca. Retrieved August 11, 2026.

The levers a council actually holds

Sources: Housing Community Improvement Plan (City of Barrie page), City of Barrie. Original document. The City's affordable-housing incentive suite and its stated targets: 15% of new units city-wide, 20% within the Urban Growth Centre and Major Transit Station Areas. Municipal Housing Pledge (City of Barrie page), City of Barrie, dated February 1, 2023. Original document. The pledge in the City's own words: 23,000 units by 2031, made February 2023, with 13,916 units already approved at the time. Also states that "approximately 30% of all units approved since 2015 have been constructed" — the City's own account of why approvals and completions are different measures. All retrieved August 11, 2026.

What renting actually costs

Two official measures, two geographies, kept apart. CMHC's October survey of purpose-built apartments across the metropolitan area shows the average two-bedroom rent rising from $1,393 (2020) to $1,755 (2025) — up 26% in five years — while the vacancy rate more than doubled from 1.6% (2021) to 4.3% (2025), a statistically significant loosening. And the 2021 census, for the city proper: median tenant shelter cost $1,510 a month, with 42.5% of tenant households spending 30% or more of income on shelter (owners: 19.3%) and 26.1% of tenants in core housing need.

1-bedroom 2-bedroom

Average purpose-built apartment rents, Barrie CMA, October 2020–2025 $0 $500 $1,000 $1,500 $2,000 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Average purpose-built apartment rents, Barrie CMA, October 2020–2025 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 $2,000
CMHC October survey, Barrie CMA (which includes Innisfil and Springwater), purpose-built private apartments. These are average rents across occupied and vacant units, not asking rents — a listing today runs far higher: the July 2026 Rentals.ca/Urbanation industry report (an industry source, not official) put Barrie asking rents at $1,874 for a one-bedroom and $2,164 for two. Vacancy, same survey: 2.1% (2020), 1.6% (2021), 2.1% (2022), 2.6% (2023), 3.4% (2024), 4.3% (2025).

Sources: CMHC Rental Market Survey data tables — Barrie CMA, October 2020–2025, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Original document. Six Octobers of purpose-built average rents and vacancy rates, Barrie CMA (which includes Innisfil and Springwater). Average rents of the occupied-plus-vacant primary stock, NOT asking rents; the two must never be compared as if one series. Retrieved August 17, 2026. Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population — Barrie (City and CMA), Statistics Canada, dated May 11, 2021. Original document. Census day was 2021-05-11. The profile page is server-rendered, so the figures were read from the rendered tables rather than through fetch-source.sh; the extraction records the rows verbatim. It also settles a mislabel: the 2021 CMA population is 212,856, and the 154,517 figure this project's notes once called "the CMA" matches no census geography (the population centre is 154,676). Retrieved August 9, 2026.

What gets built, and where the geographies part

The provincial target counts the city; the construction data counts the metropolitan area, which reaches past the city limits into Innisfil and Springwater. They answer different questions, so this site never adds them together — but the CMA series is the best available picture of whether the cranes are moving:

Starts Completions

Housing starts and completions, Barrie CMA, by year 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 891 974 2013 1,148 858 2014 1,016 1,007 2015 1,723 957 2016 1,378 1,297 2017 1,396 1,719 2018 784 1,015 2019 1,165 844 2020 2,225 806 2021 3,044 1,209 2022 2,308 2,410 2023 1,505 2,220 2024 802 2,024 2025
Housing starts and completions, Barrie CMA, by year 2013 891 974 2014 1,148 858 2015 1,016 1,007 2016 1,723 957 2017 1,378 1,297 2018 1,396 1,719 2019 784 1,015 2020 1,165 844 2021 2,225 806 2022 3,044 1,209 2023 2,308 2,410 2024 1,505 2,220 2025 802 2,024
Dwelling units, Barrie CMA — a larger geography than the city the provincial target measures. Annual sums of CMHC's published monthly figures; the record, and the lag between a start and a completion, are on housing starts.

Two limits on everything above, stated plainly. Nothing retrieved for this page explains why 2024 fell short of its target: interest rates, labour and material costs and the pace of private financing are not municipal decisions, and no document apportions the cause. A candidate who says the shortfall is entirely council's doing, or entirely not, is going past the record. And population — the other half of every housing argument — is at population, on the same geography caution.

What the candidates have said

Verbatim, attributed, dated. Every passage below is copied exactly from an archived copy of its source — a campaign website, a news article, or the candidate's own social media post — and links to it. Nothing is paraphrased by this site and no for-or-against label is applied: read the words, follow the link. Passages from news coverage say whether they are the candidate quoted, the reporter's reported speech, or the reporter's characterisation.

Compiled in a research batch dated September 11, 2026, reviewed by hand before publication on September 11, 2026. Passages are capped at 60 words. Campaign pages are undated, so only the retrieval date is shown for them. A candidate with nothing located on an issue is listed as such, with the date their sources were checked; a race is shown only once every candidate in it has been checked. See methodology.

Mayor

Alex Nuttall

  • He also framed affordability as a dual challenge – housing costs and access to local jobs – saying the city has reduced development charges to spur housing construction and is working to expand industrial lands to attract employers.

    Source: As reported by CompassNews, Nuttall kicks off re-election campaign in Barrie, May 6, 2026 (paragraph 14). Read September 10, 2026. news reported

  • Nuttall said this council has also added 800 future affordable housing units through incentives and the County of Simcoe.

    Source: As reported by barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: Mayoral candidates asked about top issues facing city, August 31, 2026 (paragraph 6). Read September 11, 2026. news reported

  • And I will help people who are homeless find dignified housing – no one should live in a tent in Barrie.

    Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: Mayoral candidates asked about top issues facing city, August 31, 2026 (paragraph 7, second quotation, last sentence). Read September 11, 2026. news

Tanya Saari

  • More housing, but with the roads, transit, parks, and services to match so growth makes life better, not harder, for people already here.

    Source: tanyasaari.ca, Home page, Priorities, under 'Smart Growth'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

  • We’re growing. We need more housing; we want new investment, new jobs

    Source: As quoted in CompassNews, Second candidate jumps into Barrie mayoral race, July 9, 2026 (paragraph 15). Read September 10, 2026. news

Show 2 more passages

  • If we want fewer encampments, we need to give people somewhere else to go. I want us putting more of our energy into long-term solutions that actually move people out of homelessness, particularly supportive housing.

    Source: As quoted in CompassNews, Mayoral candidates’ visions for homelessness & affordability, August 28, 2026 (paragraph 16). Read September 11, 2026. news

  • If we want fewer encampments, we need to give people somewhere else to go. That means more focus on permanent and supportive housing and working with the county, province, health-care providers and community organizations to make that happen.

    Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, BARRIE ELECTION: State of emergency debated after full year in effect, September 10, 2026 (paragraph 6). Read September 11, 2026. news

Russell Tighe

  • Affordable housing is likely his biggest issue.

    Source: As reported by barrietoday.com, Fourth candidate for Barrie mayor emerges, August 15, 2026 (paragraph 8). Read September 11, 2026. news context

  • The housing initiative is probably my biggest one, I want to say,

    Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Fourth candidate for Barrie mayor emerges, August 15, 2026 (paragraph 9, first quotation). Read September 11, 2026. news

Show 3 more passages

No published statement on this issue located for one candidate. No campaign website on the City's list: Kay Sayer. Indexed news coverage checked September 11, 2026: none quoting them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 1

Shaughna Ainsworth

  • Barrie is growing fast — but growth must work for existing residents, not just developers. I will work to ensure new development respects the character of Ward 1 and delivers the infrastructure our community needs.

    Source: ainsworth4ward1.ca, Platform page, section '02 Responsible Growth', intro paragraph. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

  • To be honest, I am not a cheerleader for the ‘bigger the better’ crowd, but I understand progress and opportunity and sometimes even need never stops knocking. I do stand firmly, however, that growth must pay for itself, and costs cannot be factored into the existing home tax levy.

    Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Ainsworth running on safety, accountability in Ward 1, August 25, 2026 (paragraph 7, after the 'Responsible growth:' label). Read September 11, 2026. news

Hafiz Rahman

  • I want to advocate for supportive housing initiatives that provide people with a safe place to live while connecting them with mental health services, nutritious meals, life-skills programs, and community support.

    Source: votehafiz.net, Home page, under 'Supporting Mental Health with Stable Housing', third bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

Pauline Stevenson

  • The question isn’t whether Barrie will grow. The question is how and where we grow.

    Source: stevenson4ward1.ca, Home page, priority 01 'Responsible Growth and Development', first paragraph. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 11, 2026. site

  • Residents must have a meaningful voice in decisions that impact their neighbourhood. Development must make sense, and when it doesn’t, I will be a strong advocate for change.

    Source: stevenson4ward1.ca, Home page, priority 01 'Responsible Growth and Development', third paragraph. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 11, 2026. site

  • I will also pursue an active partnership with Georgian College and look at best practices from other post-secondary communities to tackle recurring issues related to student housing.

    Source: stevenson4ward1.ca, Home page, priority 02 'Well-Maintained Neighbourhoods and Responsible Landlords', third paragraph. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 11, 2026. site

No published statement on this issue located for 3 candidates. Campaign website did not answer when checked (September 10, 2026): Stefano Agostino. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (September 11, 2026): Brent Bowser. No campaign website on the City's list: Christian Cadera. Indexed news coverage checked September 11, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 2

Frank Casera

  • We can make better use of planning and zoning tools to encourage housing, consider partnerships that create more accessible and affordable options, and support effective programs where they can make a measurable difference.

    Source: buildbarriebetter.com, Dignity page, paragraph beginning 'We can use the tools we have'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

  • Growth should build on what makes our communities special and not simply add more density them.

    Source: buildbarriebetter.com, Pride page, paragraph after 'That means thoughtful planning'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

Shanicka Edwards

  • Barrie needs more housing, but growth must be thoughtful. We need housing that is affordable, accessible, and appropriate for different stages of life.

    Source: www.voteedwards.ca, Compass News Responses page, answer to 'How do you balance the need for new housing'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

  • Building more housing matters, but approval alone are not success. We need homes that working families, seniors, young people and people living with disabilities can actually afford.

    Source: www.voteedwards.ca, Stats & Solutions page, under 'Thousands of homes are proposed but affordability remains the question'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

Craig Nixon

  • Ward 2 is growing. I will ensure new development is well planned, protects our waterfront and neighbourhood character, and delivers the infrastructure and services our community needs.

    Source: nix2026.ca, Ward 2 Priorities page, under 'Managing Growth Responsibly'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

Ajmal Noushahi

  • Help residents use their properties for home-based businesses, second suites, and permits to earn more — and fight for genuinely affordable housing.

    Source: voteforajmal.ca, Platform page, under 'Home Business & Affordable Housing'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

Tracy Strohm

  • Strohm has been critical of past development decisions in the downtown core and said the city needs stronger policies to ensure that approved projects move forward in a timely manner.

    Source: As reported by CompassNews, Ward 2 race heats up, June 24, 2026 (paragraph 18). Read September 10, 2026. news reported

Ward 3

Amy Courser

  • I focus on safer, walkable neighbourhoods, protecting parks, green spaces and the environment, supporting responsible growth and housing people can actually afford.

    Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Ward 3 candidate vows to be 'independent voice' on Barrie council, August 31, 2026 (paragraph 7, second sentence). Read September 11, 2026. news

  • It means supporting responsible development without sacrificing green space, neighbourhood character or the infrastructure residents rely on.

    Source: amy4ward3.com, About page, under 'People First, Community Always', line 27, second sentence. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 11, 2026. site

Ben Hughes

  • When housing, property taxes and everyday necessities become increasingly difficult to afford, the effects are felt throughout the city. Financial pressure can contribute to housing insecurity, homelessness, crime and greater demand on community services.

    Source: benhughesbarrie.ca, Affordability page, paragraph 1, sentences 1-2. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

Ryan Rijo

  • As a homeowner, I understand the challenges facing working families today and how important it is to have a city where people can afford to put down roots and build a life.

    Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Baseball helps shape Ward 3 candidate's attitude toward teamwork, September 4, 2026 (paragraph 4). Read September 11, 2026. news

No published statement on this issue located for one candidate. No campaign website on the City's list: Bryan Jones. Indexed news coverage checked September 11, 2026: none quoting them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 4

Lori Galeazza

Arif Khan

  • While ensuring development pays for itself should be an objective, it is vital to ensure that our city's growth aligns with both provincial mandates and our local priorities.

    Source: arifforward4.ca, Home page, under 'PRIORITIES', item 02 'Responsible growth', first paragraph. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 11, 2026. inferred site

No published statement on this issue located for 3 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (September 10, 2026): Iradat Ahmad. No campaign website on the City's list: Matthew Corbett, Patrick Harriott-Stewart. Indexed news coverage checked September 11, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 5

Duarte Da Silva

  • 49 Miller Drive: Getting development right for the neighbourhood around it, not just the developer’s timeline.

    Source: duarteforward5.ca, Home page, 'The Major 5 in Ward 5', third bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

  • He also wants the city to carefully consider proposed development, including plans involving 49 Miller Dr. and weigh potential economic benefits against the interests of existing and future Ward 5 residents.

    Source: As reported by CompassNews, Ward 5 race pits experience against change, September 4, 2026 (paragraph 21). Read September 11, 2026. news reported

Show 2 more passages

  • While growth is certainly important in attracting the right business development opportunities for Ward 5 and Barrie at large, it should never be at the expense of the quality of life of Barrie

    Source: As quoted in CompassNews, Ward 5 race pits experience against change, September 4, 2026 (paragraph 23). Read September 11, 2026. news

  • The idea that we cannot responsibly develop Barrie while protecting our lands and the interests of citizens is simply false. It’s all about transparency and robust public consultation, in partnership with people-centric developers.

    Source: As quoted in CompassNews, Ward 5 race pits experience against change, September 4, 2026 (paragraph 24). Read September 11, 2026. news

Robert Thomson

  • ✔ Nearly $100 million secured for housing, infrastructure, and community safety initiatives

    Source: thomsonward5.ca, Accomplishments page, 'Housing, Growth and Investment', first check item. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

  • ✔ Supporting the Province's goal of building 23,000 new homes in Barrie by 2031

    Source: thomsonward5.ca, Accomplishments page, 'Housing, Growth and Investment', second check item. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

Show 2 more passages

  • Thomson said Barrie needs more housing and economic development, but not at the expense of established neighbourhoods or residents’ quality of life.

    Source: As reported by CompassNews, Ward 5 race pits experience against change, September 4, 2026 (paragraph 12). Read September 11, 2026. news reported

  • We can accommodate growth while protecting the neighbourhoods that make Ward 5 a great place to live

    Source: As quoted in CompassNews, Ward 5 race pits experience against change, September 4, 2026 (paragraph 13). Read September 11, 2026. news

Ward 6

Nasar George Nader

Nigussie Nigussie

  • 176 -unit affordable housing project approved

    Source: www.votenigussie.ca, Results page, under 'Housing & Growth', bullet 1. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

No published statement on this issue located for one candidate. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (September 10, 2026): Christel Pena. Indexed news coverage checked September 11, 2026: none quoting them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 7

Gary Harvey

  • $80M invested in housing through DC waivers

    Source: garyharvey.ca, Home page, under 'THE FIVE POINT PLAN', 'AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE', fourth bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 11, 2026. site

  • 779 affordable homes approved

    Source: garyharvey.ca, Home page, under 'THE FIVE POINT PLAN', 'AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE', fifth bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 11, 2026. site

Michael Lewis

Ward 8

Jim Harris

  • Advocating for more affordable and supportive housing funding from provincial and federal levels of government and exploring  innovations that reduce housing costs will be needed to ensure Barrie has affordable housing for all residents.

    Source: votejimforward8.ca, Key Issues page, under 'Affordable & Supportive Housing'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

Amanda Fellows

  • More affordable and diverse housing options, including supportive and non-market housing.

    Source: amandafellows.ca, Home page, 'My Platform', under 'PEOPLE-FIRST LEADERSHIP', first bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

  • A stronger focus on housing options that people at different incomes and stages of life can actually afford.

    Source: amandafellows.ca, Home page, 'My Platform', under 'THOUGHTFUL GROWTH', fifth bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

  • Barrie is going to grow, and Ward 8 will be part of that growth. I support development that adds needed housing and contributes positively to our city, but every development needs to be considered within the bigger picture.

    Source: amandafellows.ca, Home page, 'My Platform', under 'THOUGHTFUL GROWTH', paragraph 2. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

No published statement on this issue located for one candidate. No campaign website on the City's list: Samina Alim. Indexed news coverage checked September 11, 2026: none quoting them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 9

Asmar Naveed

  • I support adding housing and accommodating Barrie's growth, but development needs to be accompanied by the infrastructure required to support it.

    Source: asmarforward9.com, Ward 9 Forward page, item 2 'Infrastructure That Keeps Pace With Growth'. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

  • This is a substantial development for the neighbourhood. As it moves forward, I'll continue following the project, including issues such as traffic, parking, neighbourhood impact and infrastructure, and provide updates here when new information becomes available.

    Source: asmarforward9.com, 'What's Happening in Ward 9' page, '468-Unit Rental Development' entry, 'What this means' paragraph. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

Dave Weingarten

  • There are appropriate ways for Barrie to scale into a larger city, but not by over-developing our already congested downtown, and not by placing that financial burden on residents who are already struggling to get by.

    Source: As quoted in barrietoday.com, Councillors have power to keep Barrie affordable, says Ward 9 candidate, September 7, 2026 (paragraph 10, second sentence). Read September 11, 2026. news

No published statement on this issue located for 2 candidates. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (September 10, 2026): Norm Costello. Campaign website read, nothing located on this issue (September 11, 2026): Sergio Morales. Indexed news coverage checked September 11, 2026: none quoting any of them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

Ward 10

Bryn Hamilton

  • Approved 779 new affordable housing units

    Source: brynforbarrie.ca, Home page, 'Delivering For Barrie' list, eighth item. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

Georgy Kapustin

  • Barrie needs housing and investment, but growth decisions must account for transportation capacity, public services, neighbourhood impact, and the real cost of infrastructure.

    Source: georgyk.com, Priorities page, under 'Responsible Growth', introductory paragraph. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

  • Establish a rental property licensing program. Rental licensing should hold landlords accountable, reduce disruptive temporary rentals, and protect family-suitable homes.

    Source: georgyk.com, Priorities page, under 'Responsible Growth', fifth bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

  • Require food and grocery services inside medium- and high-density developments. Everyday needs should be available within the building or development site to reduce app-based food delivery traffic and short car trips.

    Source: georgyk.com, Priorities page, under 'Responsible Growth', first bullet. Page. The page is undated; retrieved and archived September 10, 2026. site

No published statement on this issue located for one candidate. No campaign website on the City's list: William Cadeau. Indexed news coverage checked September 11, 2026: none quoting them on this issue. Social media posts not yet checked.

School board trustees

None of the 19 trustee candidates across 7 races has a located statement on this issue; trustees do not decide it. Their statements are on the education page, and each candidate's own page says what was checked.

Common questions

Did Barrie meet its provincial housing target?

It did in 2023 and did not in 2024, on the province's own dataset: 1,716 units against a 1,687 target in 2023 (exceeded), then 1,459 against 1,917 in 2024 — 76.11%, marked not met. The province has not published a 2025 figure.

What is Barrie's housing pledge?

In February 2023 the City pledged to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to facilitate the construction of 23,000 housing units by 2031. The verb matters: a municipality approves, builders build — the City's own pledge page notes about 30% of units approved since 2015 have been constructed.

How much is rent in Barrie?

CMHC's October 2025 survey puts the average purpose-built two-bedroom rent in the Barrie metropolitan area at $1,755 and a one-bedroom at $1,582 — averages across occupied and vacant units, not asking rents. A listing today runs higher: the July 2026 Rentals.ca/Urbanation industry report put Barrie asking rents at $1,874 for a one-bedroom and $2,164 for two.