St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services has put out a draft for the city and county’s new 10-year housing and homelessness strategy, which is now available for public review and input. Here’s what you need to know.
WHAT IS THE NEW PLAN?
The new 10-year housing and homelessness plan for St. Thomas and Elgin, named On Track, will be in effect from 2026 to 2036, as mentioned in a statement from the City of St. Thomas on Wednesday.
According to Ontario’s Housing Services Act, every housing service manager – in this case, St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services – must maintain an up-to-date 10-year housing and homelessness plan, the release stated.
“This next plan really lays out the next 10 years… helping and preparing with more affordable housing but also lays out a solid plan for builders and developers on what our growth needs are,” said St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston during a Thursday interview.
WHAT WAS THE PREVIOUS PLAN?
The earlier 10-year plan, Taking Stock, Working Together, which lasted from 2014 to 2024, “achieved significant results through strong community collaboration,” according to the release. Preston added, “We’ve been extremely successful.”
Key achievements highlighted by St. Thomas include:
More than 270 new affordable and supportive housing units across 14 developments in St. Thomas, Aylmer and Dutton-Dunwich A “functional end” to veteran homelessness achieved in February 2023 745 people experiencing homelessness housed through the by-name list since 2021 Over $6 million in funding directed to client-centred supported housing.
WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES IN THE NEW PLAN?
The new plan identifies four strategic priorities, based on the release.
A primary focus is maintaining a “functional end to homelessness” through expanded supportive housing, prevention and diversion strategies, along with wraparound supports.
An additional priority is sustaining existing housing by strengthening the current system through measures like increasing rent supplements and preventing evictions.
A third focus is shared accountability among governments, health systems and private sectors via “data-driven decision-making, advocacy, and meaningful community engagement.”
The final priority is constructing new affordable homes to boost supply as noted in the release.
“As the rural partner in St. Thomas-Elgin, we know housing and homelessness looks different across our communities-from our villages and hamlets to our agricultural areas and small towns,” stated Elgin County Warden Dominique Giguère.
“As our region grows, these solutions will reflect both our urban and rural needs, keeping us moving in the right direction.”
WHAT ABOUT AFFORDABILITY?
The release points out that affordable housing remains a “significant challenge.”
With over 100,000 residents combined in St. Thomas and Elgin projected to rise to around 130,000 by 2036-partly due to major job opportunities including Volkswagen’s $7-billion electric vehicle battery plant set to open in 2027 employing approximately 3,000 individuals.
Construction continues on the Volkswagen battery plant in St Thomas. Photograph taken on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Mike Hensen/The )
“An annual household income of approximately $70,000 (is) now required to afford the average market rent in St. Thomas,” according to the release which noted that demand for affordable options will keep increasing.
Preston mentioned that St. Thomas aims at building upwards rather than outward to better address supply demands while considering people’s financial situations.
“The tallest building ever in St. Thomas has just finished construction; it’s open now for rentals,” Preston said. “We need several more projects like that.”
HOW CAN THE PUBLIC WEIGH IN?
A final version of this plan needs submission to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing by May 29 before it goes before council for approval according to the release.
Civilians along with community organizations can check out this draft document as well as provide feedback.
An open house is scheduled for April 8 from 4 p. m. to 6 p. m. at the St. Thom as-El gin Social Services building located at 230 Talbot St. p >
More information can be found here: https://www. stthomas. ca/news/what_s_new/draft_10-_year_housing___homelessness_plan p >
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