SPRE National Accelerator Spotlight:
Owen Sound
Housing Company Limited

Owen Sound Housing Company Limited is a non-profit housing provider established in 1950 under the National Housing Act in response to housing needs following the Second World War. With support from the City of Owen Sound, including seed funding, the organization developed the Frank Smith Apartments to house returning service members. The project is widely believed to be the second-oldest social purpose housing development in Ontario and remains a key asset within the organization’s portfolio.

Over its 75-year history, Owen Sound Housing has focused on providing affordable rental housing in Owen Sound. The organization operates with a stated vision of housing as a foundation for inclusive communities and is guided by values emphasizing dignity, belonging, respect, and accountability. These principles inform both operations and long-term planning decisions.

The Frank Smith Apartments are now approximately 75 years old and are nearing the end of their functional life. Core infrastructure is failing, particularly the electrical system, which requires full replacement within the next three years. The existing three-storey walk-up, with the first floor below grade, contains 30 one-bedroom units and 10 studio apartments. This configuration does not meet current accessibility standards and reflects building and unit designs that are difficult to adapt to present-day needs.

The building’s age limits modernization options. There are no elevators or shared common areas, and the layout does not support accessibility or flexibility. These constraints reduce the site’s ability to accommodate seniors, individuals with mobility limitations, and others who require accessible housing, at a time when demand for affordable housing in Owen Sound continues to grow. Wait lists for one-bedroom units exceed 1,000 applicants, with estimated wait times of seven to ten years.

A concept design completed in 2015 identified the potential to redevelop the site with up to 96 residential units. The concept proposes increased density, updated building systems, improved accessibility, and a mix of indoor and outdoor common spaces. Redevelopment would increase the number of units on the site while addressing safety, accessibility, and functional limitations associated with the existing building.

Planning for redevelopment reflects lessons learned through a long-standing partnership with the Owen Sound Municipal Non-Profit Housing Corporation, established in 1995. Through this collaboration, 136 affordable housing units were developed between 2015 and 2022. Wait list data and local housing trends informed decisions on unit mix and design, indicating sustained demand for smaller units suitable for singles, seniors, and small households, as well as the importance of incorporating features that support aging in place. The partnership also reinforced the use of mixed-income housing models. Since 1986, developments have followed an approach in which approximately 70 percent of units are affordable, and 30 percent are market-rate. This model has been maintained based on observed outcomes related to financial viability and neighbourhood integration and continues to inform planning for future projects.

Several challenges affect the feasibility of redeveloping the Frank Smith Apartments. Zoning changes would be required to permit additional height and density, which may prompt community discussion. Financial constraints are also significant: while the property is debt-free, reserves are limited, and redevelopment would require demolition and new construction on the same site. Gradual unit vacancies would reduce operating revenue while fixed costs remain.
The relocation of existing residents presents further complexity. The building currently houses approximately 40 single residents or couples, many paying rents well below current market rates. Market rental options are limited, and capacity within the social housing system is constrained by long wait lists. Residents have expressed a preference to remain in their homes and neighbourhood.

As planning continues, the organization has identified continuity, stability, and clear communication with residents as priorities. The proposed redevelopment represents an opportunity to address aging infrastructure, increase housing supply, and renew one of Ontario’s earliest social housing sites while responding to current and future community needs.