Jane Glenn | January 22, 2026
It’s well known by now that many Canadians, and in particular many Ontarians, are feeling the impact of rising costs and the lack of affordable housing. The discrepancy between what lower income residents can earn and what they can afford is growing, as is the number of people who are struggling to make ends meet.
However, this discrepancy is much more noticeable for lower income residents of Saugeen Shores, given the unique demographics of the municipality: the average household income is $133,400 in Saugeen Shores, 13% higher than the provincial average. The living wage across Grey and Bruce counties has increased by 6.7% since 2024, the second highest in Ontario after the Greater Toronto Area.
These were some of the numbers presented to Saugeen Shores Council by Mini Jacques, Chair of United Housing For All (UHFA), a community advocacy group. Jacques attended on December 5 to update Council on UHFA’s successes in supporting some local families with rental subsides, as well as their plan to commission a study on housing affordability and establish a living wage specific to Saugeen Shores.
Jacques said that the County of Bruce began “actively addressing housing affordability in 2025” with the Affordable Additional Residential Unit (ARU) program, which offers funding to create rental units, strategic partnerships and the broad Housing Action Plan in place from 2024-26, focusing on increasing supply.
The County defines ‘affordability’ as housing costing less than 30% of the household’s income, stated Jacques. However, “a very large percentage of those on government benefits, spend 50% to 75% of their benefit income on housing."
Those on Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) for example, receive $599 per month for Shelter costs, which increased from $582 in July of last year.
Rent Subsidies
Recognizing that the gap between income and housing cost is more pronounced in Saugeen Shores, Council has been assisting 27 households in need of affordable housing with an approximately $590 per month rental subsidy since 2023, via the County’s housing program. This year, 66 households will receive rent relief via the primary municipal subsidy as well as additional county support.
“It’s extremely rare to see a municipality in any province create an actual budget line for rent subsidies for local families needing affordable housing,” Jacques said while thanking Council for their support, adding that to her knowledge, it was the only municipality in Ontario to date that has done this.
Housing Affordability Study
“Our group has commissioned a housing affordability study to look at those earning well below $63,000 in Saugeen Shores," said Jacques. "It will be linked directly to the workforce in Saugeen Shores focusing on employees in retail, hospitality and healthcare support workers,” she said.
The report will include affordability for both rental units and home purchases. The report will be widely distributed; to County of Bruce and Saugeen Shores councils and their planning staff, to the Huron-Bruce MP and MPP, as well as to local non-profits and developers.
Jacques said the creation of the report is with the intent to inform all parties involved in affordable housing creation as well as what local residents and wage earners of lower incomes can actually afford in their communities. She hopes the report will help with government grants and in planning developments for affordable housing.
Living Wage Report
Another goal of UHFA is to establish a living wage specific to Saugeen Shores “as there isn’t one calculated or reported to county and town councils or for local employers to be made aware of,” Jacques said.
Currently, the living wage for Grey-Bruce is $24.60, according to the Ontario Living Wage Network. However, Saugeen Shores’ demographics coupled with the local economy are unique and differ from much of the rest of the province.
Jacques told Council that Jill Umbach from Grey Bruce Poverty Task Force has agreed to work with UHFA to calculate Saugeen Shores' living wage. A figure is expected in 2026.
Advocacy For Benefits Increases
Jacques also requested that Saugeen Shores ask other Ontario municipalities to join them in advocating to the Ontario government to increase ODSP and Ontario Works funding to a liveable income.
“This action is needed in order to help with housing costs for those on Ontario benefits to thrive, not just survive,” emphasized Jacques.
