Stories From The Greenbelt: Building Homes, Supporting Farms and Tackling Rural Housing Needs in the Greenbelt

Written by Wayne Caldwell, Report Author

In communities across Ontario’s Greenbelt, housing pressures are being felt not only in towns and villages but also on farms and in the countryside. Our recent report, Housing Needs and Actions for the Agricultural Sector in Rural Greenbelt Communities, shines a spotlight on the unique housing challenges facing rural and agricultural areas — and offers clear, practical solutions.

Agriculture and agri-food are economic engines in Ontario, contributing nearly $50 billion annually to the province’s GDP and employing 1 in 10 workers. But the long-term health of this sector depends on a critical and often overlooked factor: access to appropriate, affordable housing.

This research, undertaken with support from the Greenbelt Foundation, explores how current housing policies — and housing shortages — are affecting farm families, agricultural workers, and the broader rural economy. We spoke with farmers, planners, and industry leaders across three case study areas: Durham Region, Niagara Region, and Huron County. Their message was clear: without housing, agriculture suffers.

Our work was guided by an advisory committee of experts from across the sector — planners, farmers, municipal staff, and policy advisors — who helped shape and test the report’s conclusions. Their insights, paired with on-the-ground experience, added depth to our findings and confirmed that housing issues are not one-size-fits-all.

The report outlines 13 key recommendations, including:

• Maintain existing ARU (Additional Residential Unit) policies for on-farm housing in the Greenbelt and consider expanding policies that allow ARUs in support of agri-business housing needs.
• Support innovative and flexible housing types — such as modular homes, tiny homes, and temporary worker accommodations — both on-farm and within nearby settlement areas.
• Develop a rural infrastructure strategy to support rural communities and agricultural housing needs.This strategy should identify priority areas for investment, clarify servicing options (including private systems where appropriate), and ensure that infrastructure planning supports complete communities while protecting farmland.
• Integrate agricultural housing needs into municipal housing and agricultural strategies to ensure planning reflects the realities of farm life.
• Promote complete rural communities through sustainable housing development, infrastructure investment, and gentle intensification in existing settlement areas.

What’s clear is that rural housing is not just a planning issue — it’s an economic, social, and food security issue. The report emphasizes that by thinking strategically about housing, we can help rural Ontario stay productive, prosperous, and resilient for the future.

To read the full report or learn more, visit https://www.greenbelt.ca/rural_housing