Region’s New Housing Levy Enables Record Investment in Housing Supports across Waterloo Region
Waterloo Region – As part of Council’s commitment to increasing housing supports, the Region of Waterloo’s overall housing investment of $150 million in 2022 will support residents facing the greatest barriers and will help to build more affordable homes while improving shelter capacity.
This includes an investment of almost $30 million to fund supports for those experiencing homelessness, and to provide $570,000 annually to support the House of Friendship’s new location at 190 Weber Street North, Waterloo. The Region’s strategic investments in housing and homelessness are supported by a new housing levy of $5.8 million approved as part of the 2022 Budget.
“Today, we are seeing what happens when this community comes together to address the growing crisis of homelessness in Waterloo Region. With today’s funding announcement, the Region of Waterloo is responding to a complex issue by funding a range of creative solutions, including our ShelterCare model. I am incredibly proud of our community for trying to respond in new ways with compassion, tenacity, and innovation.” - John Neufeld, Executive Director, House of Friendship
The Region’s investment will also provide focused upstream supports, including:
- Expanding the Home-Based Support Program to support people experiencing chronic homelessness to transition into permanent housing with wrap around supports
- Increasing mental health and addiction supports to address root causes and further support those experiencing homelessness on their housing journey
- Continuing street outreach programs to provide more supports to people experiencing homelessness
- Continuing to support 24/7 staffing in emergency shelters, including new locations
The funding will also increase the Region’s investment in affordable housing as part of the ambitious affordable housing plan Building Better Futures: 2,500 Homes in 5 Years. This builds on the historic $20 million investment approved by Regional Council as part of the 2021 and 2022 budgets to increase the supply of affordable housing.
Quotes:
“Regional Council is committed to ensuring there are supports in place to help those experiencing homelessness, because we believe communities thrive when everyone has a safe place to call home. The investments Council is making in housing will increase and expand services to meet the needs of our community.” - Regional Chair Karen Redman.
“Council’s housing investments, focused on supporting those who are experiencing homelessness, will allow us and our community partners to better support some of our most vulnerable.” – Cllr. Jim Erb
“The real-life impacts of what is happening across our nation are devastating. Understanding the bigger picture allows me to stay hopeful and work at solutions alongside our partners in the community. These solutions won’t solve everything but will potentially make a difference for those who walk through our doors.” - John Neufeld, Executive Director, House of Friendship
“The YW Kitchener-Waterloo was able to respond to the unprecedented demand for shelter because of enhanced funding that we received from the Region of Waterloo. In 2022, we will be able to continue to meet the needs of our most vulnerable neighbours, thanks to the new Regional tax levy created to support homelessness and housing programs.” – Elizabeth Clarke, Chief Executive Officer, YW Kitchener-Waterloo
“Without funding support from the Region of Waterloo, we could not have successfully operated an isolation site for individuals experiencing homelessness who test positive for COVID-19, nor could we have navigated these past two years without the necessary PPE and other tools recommended by Public Health. Regional funding for those experiencing homelessness and other marginalized populations ensured that everyone in our community had access to what they needed to keep them safe and healthy in these extraordinary times.” Anne Tinker, Interim Executive Director, Cambridge Shelter Corporation
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