Network of agencies and individuals concerned about ending homelessness and the creation of affordable housing within Waterloo Region Since 2005 HHUG has been working to make Waterloo Region an inclusive community where everyone has adequate housing income and support to make a home.
Jack Layton wrote, “Homelessness is not some mysterious affliction visited upon us by unseen forces. It is the tragic, but inevitable, outcome of a series of policy decisions. And just as homelessness can be created, so too can it be ended.” Jack Layton, Homelessness: How to End the National Crisis (Revised and Updated) (Penguin Books: 2008) at xxv [Layton, Homelessness].
Responsibility for Affordable Housing lies with all orders of Government ◦ Currently the roles for the Provincial Government and Regional Government are more clearly defined ◦ Municipalities have jurisdiction over a number of areas that have the ability to incentivize the creation of affordable housing ◦ Thank you to the City of Waterloo Council for pursuing these options
Concur with staff that due to the land prices in Uptown the minor and major activities grants and loan will not by themselves be likely stimulate the creation of affordable housing
The inclusion of affordable housing in every planning activity makes good sense ◦ Planning perspective ◦ Financial perspective ◦ Community perspective
Affordable Housing Definitions (From City of Waterloo Official Plan) ◦ A unit for which the rent does not exceed 30% of gross annual household income OR ◦ A unit for which rent is at or below the average market
1 bedroom AMR = $815/ month Requires an income of $15.67/hour or $ OW Shelter Allowance $376 ODSP Shelter Allowance $ 479
There is no single best solution to creating affordable housing There are roles for multiple partnership from all orders of government, non-profit and profit sectors and community members
Build on and expand the Collaboration Activities outlined in Section 5 ◦ Creation of tri-city committee comprised of City Councillors and Staff, Regional Staff, Representatives from the housing stability/affording housing sector and other interested members to continue to explore and develop municipal incentive toolboxes for the creation of affordable housing
For more information please contact: Lynn Macaulay HHUG Initiatives Coordinator X 5237