Federal government provides $8.2M for affordable housing in Waterloo Region

The Government of Canada announced Wednesday $8.2 million dollars in funding to create further affordable housing units in Waterloo Region – through the Government’s Rapid Housing Initiative. The Region will use those funds to create housing for individuals in severe housing needs – including women experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The announcement came from the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

“This funding will be used to build modular housing, convert existing buildings into affordable housing…” said Hussen. “And I’m excited to announce that the Region of Waterloo will use this funding to build 42 new affordable, modular homes in the Region.”

“This work will, of course, stimulate the local economy – creating well-paying jobs when they’re needed the most.”

According to Regional Chair Karen Redman, those 42 new affordable housing units will be built by the end of 2021 – with received funding split between two projects in the region. Redman said more than $6.5 million will go towards a project at 1470 Block Line Road on land provided by the City of Kitchener – in which YW Kitchener Waterloo will be building 36 modular units for women who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

“This project is urgently needed…” said Redman. “Right now, dozens of women – including victims of domestic violence and human trafficking – are waiting for a permanent home…”

The remaining $1.3 million will be allocated to pay for six affordable units on existing Region of Waterloo housing property in Cambridge, located on Bechtel Street. Those additional units will be open for applicants on the community housing waiting list. Redman said that both the Bechtel and Block Line projects “closely align with the Region of Waterloo’s ten-year Housing and Homeless Plan”, as she mentioned the Region has submitted an additional eight projects for consideration under the Federal Government’s Rapid Housing Initiative’s major project stream.

“If approved, these projects will be in partnership with an additional seven non-profit agencies and include a total of 176 units of affordable or transitional housing – with continued focus on Indigenous residents, people with disabilities, women fleeing violence and families.”

During the announcement, Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic mentioned how the challenges of the pandemic has highlighted the inequities of those most vulnerable in our community – emphasizing the need for everyone to have a home where they can help limit the spread and be safe. Vrbanovic said the City of Kitchener is committed to housing as a human right – referencing the recent approval of Kitchener’s first housing strategy on Monday.

“We know we can’t do this alone…” said Vrbanovic. “It will take all levels of government and other organizations to work together if we want to end homelessness and have affordable housing.”

CEO of YW Kitchener-Waterloo Elizabeth Clarke said the organization’s board has been planning to build additional supportive housing for women since 2018 – as the announcement of the government’s Rapid Housing initiative came when the organization was searching for affordable land to build the units.

“It’s been like magic – but I don’t want to sound like it’s been easy. In order to compress what we thought was four or five years of work into twelve months of work… everybody involved has been working around the clock…” said Clarke. “It’s just been a huge effort – but it’s going to be worth it (…) a year from now, 36 women who are now living in our shelter or living on the street are going to have a home of their own.”