Institute of Southern Georgian Bay Reports Progress on Regional Housing, Sustainability & Civic Engagement
TISGB outlines recent efforts to address housing challenges, support a greener economy, and strengthen community connections through regional initiatives.
The Institute of Southern Georgian Bay (TISGB) has released its 2024 Annual Report, outlining initiatives that brought together municipal leaders, nonprofits, businesses, and residents to address regional challenges across Grey, Bruce, and Simcoe counties.
Operating as a volunteer-led organization, the Institute focuses on three core activities: convening community discussions, supporting collaboration across sectors, and sharing research and information.
In 2024, its work concentrated on housing affordability, economic sustainability, and regional planning. Over the course of the year, TISGB hosted six major public events and expanded its network to over 750 newsletter subscribers, reflecting continued growth in civic engagement.
Housing Affordability and Regional Planning
A key development in 2024 was the release of a draft Regional Community Affordable Housing Action Plan. The plan was informed by more than two years of consultation and analysis by TISGB’s Social Finance and Housing Group. It aims to align the efforts of municipalities, counties, housing organizations, and residents to increase the supply of non-market housing in the region.
TISGB also hosted a virtual forum with Chief Administrative Officers from municipalities across the region. Over 70 attendees, including senior staff and elected officials, participated in the event.
Discussions focused on challenges such as infrastructure pressures and housing, and the need for more coordinated regional approaches. Participants noted the constraints imposed by provincial legislation and the resource gaps municipalities face when implementing housing strategies.
Green Economy Pilot and Sustainability Planning
Another area of focus was sustainability and support for a low-carbon economy. In collaboration with the Collingwood Climate Action Team and Green Economy Canada, TISGB helped launch a Green Economy Hub Pilot Project.
The initiative received $15,000 in seed funding through TISGB’s endowment fund and is intended to assist local businesses in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste, and water use while improving operational efficiency.
The project builds on discussions held during the Blue Mountains Sustainability Summit, which brought together over 125 participants from across sectors. A subsequent session in Wasaga Beach further explored how local businesses could adopt sustainability practices and contribute to regional environmental goals.
Community Engagement and Philanthropy
Throughout the year, the Institute organized six public events designed to engage residents and local organizations in regional planning and problem-solving. These included sessions on housing finance models, municipal collaboration, and the role of philanthropy in addressing systemic issues.
One of the final events of the year featured a screening of the documentary Uncharitable, followed by a discussion about the financial pressures facing the nonprofit sector. The event attracted a diverse group of participants, including nonprofit leaders, donors, and board members, and sparked conversation about how funding models might evolve to support long-term solutions.
In total, over $50,000 was raised from citizen donations in 2024, helping to fund collaborative projects across the region. TISGB continues to use these philanthropic investments to support pilot programs and leverage additional funding.
Looking Ahead
TISGB’s 2024 report emphasizes the importance of shared leadership and community-based solutions in tackling complex regional issues. It also outlines programming plans for 2025, including further development of the housing action plan, continued support for sustainability initiatives, and a new workshop in partnership with Georgian College on regional planning.
The Institute reports a growing network of participants, including municipal staff, nonprofit leaders, and residents. Donations, an endowment fund, and partnerships with local organizations support its work.
The full 2024 Annual Report is available at: www.tisgb.com