Concerns that Waterloo’s plan to allow housing on church land could ‘ruin’ neighbourhoods
Posted Jun 23, 2026 07:36:19 AM.
Last Updated Jun 23, 2026 10:53:53 AM.
Residents in Waterloo are opposed to an idea from staff that would give places of worship in the city the opportunity to build housing on the land the institutions own.
Dozens flooded Waterloo council chambers on Monday to voice their concerns, and staff reportedly received more than 140 emails on the subject in advance of the meeting.
The idea, which is also being explored in cities like London and Hamilton, would be to change the zoning for 14 churches in Waterloo, including the Church of God in the Westvale neighbourhood, to allow it to build housing on-site.
The approach would help Waterloo reach its housing goals by converting available space, but residents who spoke at Monday’s meeting believe it may change the neighbourhoods in which they live.
“I think it would ruin the integrity of the neighbourhood, and as selfish as it sounds, I would not like to have that in my own backyard,” said delegate Charles Bye.
According to a report from staff on Monday, the initiative was presented to Waterloo as part of the Housing Accelerator Fund, a federal program that granted Waterloo $22 million to help with housing in 2024.
Churches being considered include:
| Name | Location |
| Messiah Lutheran Church | 700 Glenn Forrest Blvd. |
| Trinity Evangelical Missionary Church | 330 Conservation Dr. |
| Church of the Holy Saviour | 33 Allen St. East |
| Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church | 173 Lourdes St. |
| First Baptist Church | 306 Erb St. West |
| St. Louis Roman Catholic Church | 53 Allen St. East |
| St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church | 75 Bluevale St. North |
| Waterloo Christian Reformed Church | 209 Bearinger Rd. |
| Verity Community Church | 289 Lincoln Rd. |
| Church of God | 170 Middlebury Dr. |
| Parkminster United Church | 275 Erb St. East |
| Mount Zion Lutheran Church | 29 Westmount Rd. South |
| Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church | 245 Lexington Rd. |
| Waterloo-Kitchener United Mennonite Church | 15 George St. |
One delegate, Mary Ehnis, claimed that at least one church was not made aware of these plans ahead of the public meeting.
“How is this not the city effectively looking to expropriate these lands regardless of owner consent?” said Ehnis. “If the voices of those who care for and sustain these neighbourhoods and parishes had been consulted, I believe this proposal would have never been tabled.”
Over the coming months, staff will continue public consultation on this issue, and signage will be put up to raise awareness of the neighbourhoods that could be affected.
A recommendation to council is anticipated to be made this fall.
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