The Region of Waterloo, following guidance from the Ontario government, is in the process of updating its 10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan.
This document, presented to regional councillors at a Community and Health Services Committee meeting on Wednesday, serves as a summary of all current efforts by the region aimed at tackling homelessness issues.
Councillors reviewed a draft version of the plan during the committee meeting on Tuesday. It will then be sent to the province for feedback from provincial officials before being returned to the region for final council approval.
The previous 10-year plan concluded in 2025.
The region’s Plan to End Chronic Homelessness is one key aspect included in the broader Housing and Homelessness Plan.
Some statistics shared in the report provided an updated count of individuals experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region. According to this report, data from February indicates that over 1,400 people are facing some form of homelessness in the area. Nearly three-quarters of these individuals are dealing with chronic homelessness.
This figure is significantly lower than the last Point in Time count, which often measures homelessness levels in the region. That earlier count reported just over 2,300 people experiencing homelessness within Waterloo Region.
The report also highlights ongoing funding challenges related to addressing homelessness issues. It explains that high construction and financing costs continue to hinder affordable housing development, with staff mentioning that three planned affordable housing projects are currently under review and paused.
<p. Last year, the region allocated $218 million towards housing and homelessness services. This amount is projected to increase to more than $265 million by 2026. With assistance from the province, this updated 10-year plan aims to guide future investments effectively.
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