Expanding rent assistance to help Waterloo Region families
As rents rise, it becomes harder for people to keep their homes during financial hardship. A job loss, an illness, or an unexpected expense can all lead to housing insecurity. Families may face eviction.
The housing crisis impacts every community across Canada, and Waterloo Region is no exception. The Region of Waterloo is helping more families feel secure in their homes with a portable rent assistance program that started in 2021. This much-needed program supports 200 households, and will expand to help 60 more in 2025.
What is portable rent assistance? This program provides a set amount of money each month to offset rent costs for qualifying racialized households. It’s part of the Region’s investment to improve equity across the community. It’s also part of our Building Better Futures plan, which launched in 2021 and was renewed earlier this year by Region of Waterloo Council for five more years.
Why rent assistance matters
Rent assistance programs like this are one way we can address the affordability gap in today’s housing market. They provide a vital safety net for low-income individuals and families, particularly racialized and marginalized groups, who are disproportionately affected by rising rental costs. With reliable financial support, the program provides housing stability and helps families create a foundation for long-term well-being.
This rent program has a quick turnaround, so we can quickly help people facing housing instability. By responding swiftly, the program helps prevent evictions and supports families in maintaining secure housing during times of financial hardship.
For community, with community
Working alongside community is essential. This program has been shaped by collaboration with community partners.
Our partners provide valuable insight that helps us serve people effectively and reach the families who need this program. By listening to these voices, we are working together to foster trust and meet people where they are at. Reaching our neighbours who need rent support is a community effort.
What’s next?
We’re excited to expand the portable rent assistance program to more people in 2025 as part of our affordable housing plan!
The Region of Waterloo will work with community partners to roll out new subsidies to around 60 racialized households, primarily African, Caribbean, Black and Indigenous, across the community.
In 2024, we hit our Building Better Futures goal one year early. We also surpassed the original goal by creating 2,707 new affordable homes since 2021. We’re building 10 times more affordable homes per year than before the plan was in place.
But our work on affordable housing is not done. We’ve renewed the Building Better Futures plan with a new target to create and preserve another 3,500 affordable homes in five years. And we are focused on supporting Waterloo Region households with low or very low income.
Learn more about the Region of Waterloo’s work to support homes for all.