We must work together to make “Homes for All” reality
By Regional Chair Karen Redman
Every single person in Waterloo Region deserves access to safe and affordable housing.
As the housing crisis deepens, we must collectively strengthen our efforts to address the mounting challenges in our community and ensure homes for all.
Homes for All is a key pillar of the Region of Waterloo’s new Strategic Plan.
As we grapple with the effects of more community members living in poverty and experiencing mental health and addictions challenges, while others struggle to keep up with rising housing costs, we are committed to investing in affordable homes and economic opportunity to create inclusive and sustainable communities.
Signs of homelessness, reflecting the incredible need for more housing options, are visible throughout Waterloo Region.
In a region known for innovation and collaboration, we know we can do better and we have a plan.
Moving quickly is key.
Through the Region of Waterloo’s Building Better Futures Plan, we are building 10 times more affordable homes than in previous years, with a goal of 2,500 units in five years. No single organization can solve the housing challenge alone. Building Better Futures has united government agencies, private developers, non-profit organizations, and the community.
We also know this won’t be enough.
We have the opportunity to add 10,000 more affordable homes through the Build Now initiative. By unlocking lands owned by municipalities, and partnering with Habitat for Humanity to manage the homes, local developers could build thousands of affordable homes. The fact local developers are willing to do this to tackle the housing crisis speaks directly to our caring and compassionate community.
Initiatives like Build Now and governments’ participation are critical to meeting and maintaining affordability. Too many people are being forced out of the market, while others are sidelined trying to buy their first home.
It is vital all municipalities identify land that can be unlocked to rapidly grow affordable housing across Waterloo Region.
We also know that more and more often in Waterloo Region, people are becoming precariously housed. In addition to building more homes, eliminating chronic homelessness and reliance on shelters is a priority. This will take all, including area municipalities, community partners, and other levels of government to reduce and eliminate chronic homelessness.
Permanent, long-term housing solutions is the end goal in The Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. The Plan is being co-created in community, by community and for community, providing a roadmap to end chronic homelessness in Waterloo Region. This is a complex issue and there’s work ahead, yet we see individuals experiencing homelessness move into permanent, safe homes every month.
Investing in upstream solutions to reduce housing and economic precarity is key. Our focus must extend beyond housing and look to include preventative measures and wrap-around support to address the complexity of the housing crisis.
At the same time, we are looking to the future needs of our community and unlocking Region-owned land to support community growth.
We are making land available for affordable housing, shovel-ready employment lands and other supportive infrastructure. To date, four regionally-owned surplus sites have been identified for affordable housing development in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge.
The ask is great. There is much to be done. The housing crisis cannot be solved alone.
We are building now. We are working together to end chronic homelessness.
Homes for All can be a reality.
Karen Redman is the Regional Chair for the Region of Waterloo and a member of Regional Council.