Tiny to wait on report for Habitat for Humanity project feasibility
By: Derek Howard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Source: MidlandToday.ca, Jun 10, 2025
The prospect of an affordable housing pilot project at the boundary of Penetanguishene will have to wait until a staff report provides further details, as decided in the recent Tiny Township committee of the whole meeting.
Last month, deputations were made by Cate Root of Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North to the councils of Penetanguishene first and Tiny later, regarding an offer within 2 acres of a 10-acre parcel of land on the boundary of the two municipalities, which could host a tiny home pilot project.
With a location in the Lafontaine Road and Robert Street West intersection area, the proposal aimed toward low-income families would be utilizing 360 square feet of possible space for a five-unit, one-bedroom complex with septic bed and a parking lot.
Penetanguishene opted to wait for Tiny’s response, which was discussed at the recent meeting.
All members of Tiny Township council expressed support for the project, but stated that a staff report would provide more information on the matter. Coun. Steffen Walma said that the township planning department could fill in gaps, while Kelly Helowka called it a great idea but urged a requirement for all information.
In Root’s deputation, a request was made to expedite the project through use of a Minister’s Zoning Order, pitched as a possible means to have the affordable housing project completed within three months.
Mayor Dave Evans acknowledged the urgency of the request. “During our Simcoe County meetings, the question came up and I asked what the amount of time to get a project to go from beginning to end; and was quoted… I believe 39 months.”
Evans also shared concerns that financial costs needed to be taken into consideration.
“It’ll be unique,” Evans told MidlandToday following the meeting. “There are a lot of moving parts. Penetang has been very – I think the report (presentation) said they’ll be open and go along with what we do. Well, that’s a pretty broad brush.
“We don’t know – and I’m not blaming Penetang, but at the same time the Habitat for Humanity report preliminary numbers are already $43,000 plus another $60,000. That was my comment: it’s becoming a budgetary item very quickly. At the same time, it’s incumbent on us to be fair to them; they’ve got this opportunity.
“Personally, I think it will come down to a financial decision, and that’s something that we’re going to have to evaluate,” said Evans.
The request from Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North, including slideshow presentation and estimated costs, can be viewed on the agenda page on the Township of Tiny website.
Archives of council meetings are available to view on the township’s YouTube channel.