Kitchener-Waterloo

Region of Waterloo one step closer to tackling affordable housing crisis

There was unanimous support during Tuesday’s regional committee meeting for a motion aimed to tackle the ongoing housing crisis and lack of affordable housing.

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of an affordable housing policy

Outside of an administration building.
Regional councillors discussed ways to address the housing crisis and increase affordable housing units during a committee meeting Tuesday. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

There was unanimous support during Tuesday's Region of Waterloo committee meeting for a motion that aims to tackle the ongoing housing crisis. 

Regional councillors were presented with a motion focusing on affordable housing policy and program incentives. 

Ryan Pettipiere, the region's director of housing services, gave the presentation and highlighted how affordable housing is a top concern the region needs to address now. 

"This challenging environment that we find ourselves in didn't happen overnight. It's been decades in the making, largely through successive, national and provincial policy decisions that have led us to the current housing and homelessness crisis" he said. 

"However, there are a variety of tools available for considering and implementation brought forward today that represent what we can do as regional and municipalities to begin to undo the damage wrought by those decisions."

The motion included a recommendation for council to explore the creation of a multi-unit rental acquisition program and a right of first refusal policy.

Council was also asked to take action regarding rental housing protection and tenant displacement.

At least five people spoke to councillors during the meeting and shared their thoughts on the current housing environment. 

Jacquie Wells of ACORN Waterloo Region said she supported the motion given her work with the low-income tenant advocacy group.

"We've been organizing in Canada for nearly 20 years and consistently, the number one issue that comes up when we speak with residents at their doors is housing," Wells explained. 

"Right now, Ontario is losing affordable housing too fast. The province's current focus is to build new rental supply. However, this new supply is largely going into luxury, expensive housing with no rent control over new developments. There is little attention being paid to protect existing affordable housing, which is the most at risk."

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of approving the motions presented in committee. Those decisions will still need to be ratified at a council meeting on March 20.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karis Mapp

Reporter

After growing up in Waterloo Region, Karis Mapp obtained a diploma from the College of Sports Media. She has since spent time reporting for CityNews 570 and CTV Kitchener. Karis joined CBC K-W in February 2024 and is excited to explore the stories that mean the most to the community. Story ideas can be sent to her at karis.mapp@cbc.ca