Kenora’s Housing Needs Assessment Report

Tim Welch Consulting Inc. (TWC) presented Council with the findings of the comprehensive Housing Needs Study at the November 20, 2025, Committee of the Whole meeting. The Summative Report provides a high level summary of the reports findings and includes a precise, local view of Kenora’s housing supply, affordability, and future needs. This data-rich analysis now serves as an evidence base to guide future planning decisions, strengthen funding applications, and drive growth in housing for our community.

In the Spring of 2025, the City hired TWC, experts in housing research, planning and development, to complete a comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) for Kenora. This HNA included gathering and analyzing demographic data, economic trends, current housing stocks and their characteristics, and stakeholder engagement with local businesses and realty professionals, as well as analyzing the data collected from June 2025’s housing need surveys administered by the City. There were 767 responses to the survey.

The HNA emphasizes the importance of understanding need, setting meaningful housing targets, measuring progress, and identifying initial steps to address gaps and support future funding opportunities. The Summative Report highlights that Kenora faces a housing supply gap, the need for increased support and investment from higher levels of government, alongside targeted local strategies, to balance the demand for housing with the community’s needs. 

A key finding of the study is that Kenora currently has a shortage of 1,620 units, a deficit projected to grow to about 2,500 by 2031 as population growth and service demands increase. This shortage has contributed to rising rents and home prices. In addition, local businesses and organizations report difficulties attracting and retaining workers due to lack of housing and rental options. 

To address these challenges, the City has identified 13 initial actions within the HNA Report, which include updating Official Plans and Zoning By-Laws, developing a ten-year master infrastructure plan, advancing a major 115-acre development with hospital and housing components, and strengthening collaborations with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and developers to speed up construction.

“The City has never had a clear understanding of the demand number of housing units at a point in time.  It has hampered discussions with funders and developers.  Having comprehensive and accurate housing data is essential for data driven planning,” says Stace Gander, Director of Economic Development and Tourism and Co-CAO. “This information helps us chart a clear path for growth, identify where new housing is needed most, and strengthen our ability to work with developers and applying for funding applications. The information gathered from this HNA equips us to make better decisions so that Kenora can grow strategically, in a way that increases housing options for our residents and supports a thriving local economy.”

The Summative Report offers the City a solid foundation for prioritizing housing initiatives, and the data will help inform strategies to expand housing, boost rental supply, and strengthen funding applications that reflect Kenora’s specific housing needs. This HNA marks a key step forward to ensuring all residents have access to safe, secure, and affordable housing, supporting the City’s broader strategic objective of community growth and increasing the housing supply to meet demand.

“The findings in the report support the networking efforts we have prioritized at both the provincial and federal levels on housing needs in Kenora. The data not only strengthens our position but will support impactful solutions for our community. We are optimistic about future developments that will address the current housing climate, and we are confident that the data will play an important role in securing financial support at the provincial and federal levels and in supporting the City's development objectives.” says City of Kenora Mayor Andrew Poirier.

The City thanks residents and businesses who participated in the June 2025 surveys. This local engagement was instrumental in shaping the HNA and will continue to be essential as we pursue funding opportunities. Formal engagement channels via surveys, town halls, and open houses, offer ways for the community to contribute and help steer our shared future. 

The detailed HNA and a Summative Report are posted on our Housing Plans page. 

Media contact

Mya Horley, Senior Communications Advisor
mhorley@kenora.ca
807-467-2006