BETA: early preview. Information on this page is preliminary or placeholder and has not been verified with landowners or municipalities. Don't rely on it for decisions. Help us improve it:
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Ideas for investigation, not proposals. Briefs gather public information about places and project types worth looking into. A site appearing here does not mean the owner supports any project, that it is for sale, or that approvals are likely. Always check with the municipality and the owner.
1. Explore potential locations
Orangeville · Publicly identified site
Supportive housing at 22 Third Avenue East BETA
Idea for investigation Preliminary / placeholder
About 12 supportive housing units on County-owned land.
- Location context
- County-owned property in Orangeville, one of three priority sites in the County's Master Housing Strategy implementation plan.
- What is known
- County Council adopted the implementation plan and directed staff to plan this site (12 supportive units, estimated total cost $3.6 million, County funding proposed $500,000). The plan suggests a supportive housing provider could own the building on a long-term (99-year) land lease. In November 2025 Council approved entering pre-development agreements with Services and Housing in the Province (SHIP) for this site.
- Needs investigation
- Final unit count, design, operating model, funding approvals and timing. Whether further partners (support agencies, funders, employers) are needed now that SHIP is involved.
- Partnership sought
- Support service agencies, funders and community partners, as determined by the County.
- Next step
- Ask Dufferin County Housing Services how others can support this project. Dufferin County Housing Services
Sources: [1] [2] [3]
I'm interested in this
Shelburne · Publicly identified site
Affordable stacked townhouses at 301 First Avenue BETA
Idea for investigation Preliminary / placeholder
About 16 back-to-back stacked townhouse units (larger one-bedroom), or fewer family-sized units.
- Location context
- County-owned property in Shelburne, a priority site in the Master Housing Strategy implementation plan.
- What is known
- The implementation plan estimates a total project cost of $6.3 million with $1.9 million proposed County funding. In November 2025 County Council approved entering pre-development agreements with Services and Housing in the Province (SHIP) for this site.
- Needs investigation
- Unit mix (one-bedroom vs family-sized), affordability levels, servicing, design and funding approvals.
- Partnership sought
- Funders, builders and community partners, as determined by the County.
- Next step
- Ask Dufferin County Housing Services about the project status. Dufferin County Housing Services
Sources: [1] [2]
I'm interested in this
Orangeville · Publicly identified site
32-unit apartment building at 35 Elizabeth Street BETA
Idea for investigation Preliminary / placeholder
A 32-unit apartment building on County-owned land.
- Location context
- County-owned property in Orangeville, a priority site in the Master Housing Strategy implementation plan.
- What is known
- The implementation plan estimates a total project cost of $11.5 million with $2.7 million proposed County funding, and found the three priority projects could be financially viable with County support and the CMHC Affordable Housing Fund. In November 2025 County Council approved entering pre-development agreements with Services and Housing in the Province (SHIP) for this site.
- Needs investigation
- Final design, affordability mix, CMHC and other funding approvals, timing.
- Partnership sought
- Funders and community partners, as determined by the County.
- Next step
- Ask Dufferin County Housing Services about the project status. Dufferin County Housing Services
Sources: [1] [2]
I'm interested in this
Orangeville · Concept
Apartments above shops in downtown Orangeville BETA
Idea for investigation Preliminary / placeholder
Convert or upgrade upper floors of downtown commercial buildings into apartments.
- Location context
- Downtown Orangeville (Broadway and First Street, CIP Priority Zone 1). Downtown zoning (CBD) permits dwelling units on upper floors. No specific building or owner is identified here.
- What is known
- The Town's Community Improvement Plan Program 3 (Major Building Improvement and Conversion) offers a secured, interest-free forgivable loan of up to $35,000 per property (minimum $10,000, up to 50% of eligible costs), and lists upper-floor residential retrofits as an eligible cost. Owners and developers are eligible applicants.
- Needs investigation
- Which buildings have vacant or underused upper floors, building and fire code upgrades needed (exits, sprinklers, accessibility), heritage considerations, owner interest, and current CIP intake.
- Partnership sought
- Building owners, small builders and contractors, and investors.
- Next step
- Owners: contact Town of Orangeville Economic Development about CIP eligibility before starting work. Town of Orangeville Economic Development
Sources: [1] [2]
I'm interested in this
2. See what might be possible
Illustrative concepts only. Whether any of these fit a given property depends on zoning, servicing, building code and the owner.
Apartments above shops
Upper floors of main-street buildings converted to apartments. Orangeville's Community Improvement Plan lists upper-floor residential retrofits as eligible for its major building improvement program (up to $35,000, 50% of eligible costs). Town of Orangeville CIP
Small rental buildings
Four to twelve units on an infill lot: stacked townhouses, a small walk-up, or additional units on an existing lot where zoning allows.
Mixed-use redevelopment
Shops or services at street level with homes above, on underused commercial sites such as older plazas or parking lots.
Surplus institutional land
Land held by public bodies or faith and community groups, sometimes offered on long-term lease to non-profit builders. Dufferin County's Master Housing Strategy reviewed 24 County sites and shortlisted 10 that could yield 182 to 306 units. Master Housing Strategy
3. Community need
Figures are as published by each source; we haven't re-calculated them. Core housing need is Statistics Canada's measure of households whose housing is unaffordable, overcrowded or in need of major repair and who can't afford an acceptable alternative locally. See also the County's housing services and plans.
4. Find a partnership
Housing gets built when landowners, builders, non-profits, employers, investors and agencies find each other. Tell us your role and what you could bring. We review every submission by hand and only connect people who both agree.
Suggest a location
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5. Take the next step
Why
Housing Opportunity Explorer