Council sets 2030 target to end chronic homelessness in Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region now has a clear roadmap to guide efforts in the fight against homelessness.

At a meeting this week, council passed the Plan to End Chronic Homelessness (the Plan) as the official plan to prevent, address and end homelessness in the Region by 2030.

Staff worked with experts in housing, homelessness and health care to develop a report on which the Plan is based. The report was also informed by academic researchers, shelter system partners, people with lived experience and expertise as well as Indigenous and marginalized groups.

Councilor Jim Erb, chair of the Community Health and Health Services Committee, said staff did a lot of heavy lifting to ensure the Plan was inclusive.

“They opened the door for other members of the community to be at the table,” said Erb. “In doing so, they made themselves vulnerable and acknowledged that to solve this problem we need to not only hear all voices but prepare to implement what they are telling us.”

The report identified seven Strategic Focus Areas that will act as guideposts to implementing the plan. It will ensure the Plan is executed in a way that addresses the complex issues that lead to chronic homelessness.

Erb believes this is a watershed moment for the Region.

“Hopefully when we get to 2030, we’re going to look back on tonight’s decision to support the Plan as a historic and transformational decision in combating homelessness and giving a hand-up to some of the most vulnerable in our region.”

Region staff will spend the summer months developing funding options. A final report is due to council in the fall.