Here are highlights from the Lanark County Council meeting held Sept. 23, 2026.
New Café Coming to Lanark Lodge: Lanark County Council has authorized using up to $65,000 from Lanark Lodge’s Resident Donation Account to complete the renovation and conversion of the home’s existing Tuck Shop space into a café.
Director of Long-Term Care Shawna Stone explained the main-floor Tuck Shop space has historically been a volunteer-run small convenience service that operates one day per week. “This is an opportunity to revitalize the space into a more welcoming café that supports local connection, provides access to beverages and light meal options, and enhances the overall experience for residents, families, visitors, staff and allied health partners.”
Stone said the plan responds to feedback through resident and family satisfaction surveys, where requests for improved café-style services and family gathering space have been identified over several years.
The Lodge issued an expression of interest in June, and the contract has been awarded to Jazzy’s – a Perth café owned and operated by Kelsey Dold. Jazzy’s will provide café service seven days a week, including beverages, baked goods, grab-and-go meals, soups, sandwiches and snacks. Food will be prepared off-site and the project has approval from Public Health. The service will also include large-print menus, gift cards, loyalty programs, appreciation days and support for family gatherings.
The Tuck Shop will continue operating in a temporary space while renovations are underway, and a shared space will be created within the new area to support its continued service alongside the new café. The goal is to have the new space ready Christmas. For more information, contact Shawna Stone, Director of Long-Term Care, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 7101.
Housing and Homelessness Plan Adopted in Principle: Lanark County Council has adopted the 2026-2035 Housing and Homelessness Plan in principle and has authorized staff to submit it to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval.
Housing Services Manager Kaitlyn Murray explained the Housing Services Act requires the plans to identify local housing needs, community priorities and strategies to address housing affordability and homelessness. They are reviewed on a five-year cycle. OrgCode Consulting was awarded the contract for the update in February. The process involved data analysis and community engagement, including a survey, public forums, a stakeholder forum, interviews with stakeholders, and site visits.
“Residents and stakeholders consistently identified a lack of affordable housing, long wait times for Rent-Geared-to-Income housing, increasing housing costs, concerns for seniors and fixed-income households, limited housing options with support needs, increasing visibility of homelessness and challenges accessing services in a rural county,” Murray said.
The report outlines four key findings:
1. Housing costs have outpaced incomes
2. Current and projected housing supply does not align with growing need
3. Population growth and aging are changing housing demand
4. Homelessness is increasing
It identified strengths in Lanark County, such as strong community partnerships, Situation Table collaboration, a coordinated By-Name List for homelessness, the Lanark Integrated Frontline Team outreach program, Bridge House transitional housing, the HART Hub, adult supportive housing, winter response planning, youth housing supports and ongoing county investment in affordable housing and rent supports.
The report outlines estimated housing needs and five strategic priorities, including:
• Protect and optimize existing housing resources
• Strengthen system leadership, coordination, advocacy and evidence-based planning
• Expand housing supply and improve access through partnerships
• Address fixed-income housing and aging pressures
• Coordinate responses for complex needs, targeted prevention and long-term housing stability
“Addressing housing and homelessness challenges will require sustained effort from all levels of government,” said Warden Richard Kidd (Beckwith Reeve). “Council remains committed to advancing solutions that improve local housing outcomes, both now and into the future.”
The report will be widely available once comment from the ministry is received. For more information, contact Kaitlyn Murray, Housing Services Manager, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 2401.