How to find a Rental Home in the Collingwood Area

I get a lot of enquiries from people looking for homes or apartments to rent in our area.  With a vacancy rate that is almost always under 2%, it is not surprising that people have a tough time finding new digs to call home.  In the last 40 or so years, very few new rental accommodations have been built in the area and most of the rental housing stock is “hidden” or hard to find.

As a REALTOR®, my main focus is on selling homes.  While I do from time to time assist people in their search, it isn’t something I specialize in and sadly, there are very few services in the area that do.  Here are some ideas:

– Check the local newspaper websites; online version are more current
– Check www.kijiji.ca where more and more rental listings are posted
– Check www.realtor.ca to see what might be listed on the MLS® system
– Drive around and look for vacancy signs
– Check notice boards in supermarkets and Laundromats
– Post your needs on social media sites like Facebook
– Check the Access To Housing website at http://accesstohousing.simcoe.ca
– Best of all, use the internet.  Google something like “houses for rent in (name of town)” and you may be surprised at what you find.

For people with complex housing needs, the challenge is greater.  Perhaps a physical challenge or lack of transportation is a barrier.  There is some good news in that the local Housing Resource Centre has just begun offering their services using Skype as a mode of communication.  Individuals in Grey County without computers can access the services of the Housing Resources Centre using Skype which is available at the following locations:

– Beaver Valley Outreach at 64 Bruce St in Thornbury
– Grey Highlands Public Library at 101 Highlands Dr in Flesherton
– Meaford Public Library and 15 Trowbridge St West in Meaford.

The Housing Resource Centre is located in Collingwood and can also be reached by calling 705-445-0643 or toll free at 855-343-0677.