Region and its partners help house 36 people in April amid pandemic

Waterloo Region – The Region of Waterloo and its community partners continue to find homes for people who need them the most amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In April, Lutherwood, the emergency shelters, and street outreach agencies supported 10 families and two individuals who were homeless into community housing, including Waterloo Region Housing. Another 15 households will move into units this month. 

“Our aim is to get as many people as we can out of shelters and congregate settings because we know that having your own home is the best protection against COVID-19,” said Ryan Pettipiere, Housing Services Director at the Region of Waterloo. 

Apartment viewings, lease signings, and finding furniture have been a challenge, but creative solutions helped to address those challenges. 

In addition to these housing efforts, the Region is working to reduce homelessness and the community housing wait list through a portable housing benefit. 

The Canada Ontario Housing Benefit will help a few dozen households pay for market rent. 

A number of groups on the community housing wait list, including large families and people who are homeless, will be invited to apply for the benefit. 

The benefit is part of the national housing strategy and is funded by the provincial and federal governments. 

The Region is now looking for landlords willing to open their units to people who will receive the benefit. Interested landlords can email housing@regionofwaterloo.ca.

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For an interview, please contact: 

Sherry Morley, Communications Coordinator, Community Services, Region of Waterloo, smorley@regionofwaterloo.ca