Muskoka’s economy can’t be fully understood without recognizing its large share of second homes.
“Second home owners make up over half of Muskoka’s households,” said Arfona Zwiers, commissioner of community and planning services. “To better understand the role these homes and their residents play in our communities, we are asking second home owners to share their feedback and provide the District with vital information used to plan for Muskoka’s future.”
The Second Home Survey captures important information to inform key District initiatives such as the Growth Strategy and the Development Charges Background Study, which are scheduled to be updated in 2023-2024. The Survey also serves to provide Muskoka District Council with information about second homeowners, their plans, and how they participate in our local economy.
“We know Muskoka is changing. We recognize many second home residents have transitioned to become permanent residents or are making plans to do so in the future – that’s why it’s so important to understand the needs of all Muskoka’s residents. To identify their priorities and needs, we rely on the Second Home Survey to inform future plans and Muskoka District Council on how to plan for the future,” said District Chair Jeff Lehman.
The Second Home Survey can be completed anywhere, anytime!
Residents who own a second home in Muskoka are encouraged to share their voice – the Second Home Survey is open until February 27, 2023.
Second home owners may have also received an invitation in the mail from the District with more information about the study and its purpose – it’s not too late to share your feedback.
For more information and to launch the survey, please visit here
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So why do second home owners get a better garbage allowance in summer than permanent residents in winter?
I feel like so much of our local economies are designed around second home owners. We really have two Muskokas, one for the year around people, one for the wealthy second home owners. As more people have built on lakefronts the road networks have expanded meaning larger spread of homes and increasing infrastructure costs. The jobs available in this area tend to be either in construction or to serve these people from April to October. We need to base our economies, planning and infrastructure around those of us who live and contribute to our communities.
This is so true.im living in my truck as the county through me to the street because living in my trl is a bylaw infraction.. certainly was warmer safer than living like this.
To have the ability to own and maintain a second home in muskoka is truly a luxury. There is a growing population in our district who do not have the ability to afford a one bedroom apartment as rent prices and availability have made it almost impossible to live here. To ask the already privileged what the district can do to make their lives and futures better is a joke. If those who have the means plan on living here permanently they will still want their Starbucks and their grocery shelves stocked. Who is going to do those things for them if the workers can’t afford to live here amongst them. To call muskoka inclusive is a lie.