HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-20-214 - Housing for All - City of Kitchener Housing StrategyREPORT TO:Council
DATE OF MEETING:December 14, 2020
SUBMITTED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services,
519-741-2200 ext. 7646
PREPARED BY: Karen Cooper, Manager, Strategic and Business Planning
519-741-2200 ext. 7817
Andrew Ramsaroop, Engagement and Program Manager
519-741-2200 ext. 7242
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT:December 9, 2020
REPORT NO.:DSD-20-214
SUBJECT:Housing for All – City of Kitchener Housing Strategy
RECOMMENDATION:
T
hat Housing for All, attached as Appendix A to DSD-20-214, be approved as the
housing strategy to guide the city’s actions and investmentsto address housing
challenges in our community, from 2020 through 2025;
That Housing for All be forwarded to the Region of Waterloo to guide understanding
of the City of Kitchener’s interest and priorities in working collaboratively with the
Region in support of the Region’s mandate to address housing challenges;
T
hat the Defining Affordability Sub-Committee work be referred to staff for
consideration in developing affordability targets for non market-based housing
policies, including inclusionary zoning; and further,
T
hat the Engagement Sub-Committee draftterms of reference for a lived experience
working group to advise staff on implementation of the housing strategy be referred
to staff to finalize.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
This report seeks Council approval of Housing for All,the housing strategy for the City
of Kitchener, prepared in collaboration with the Housing Strategy Advisory Committee,
Council, stakeholders and the public.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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Housing for All sets out 7 priorities:
o Human Rights Based Approach to Housing
o Commitment to Lived Experience Collaboration
o Help End Homelessness
o Help Secure Community, Affordable Rental and Affordable Ownership Housing
o Advocacy
o Align Policies, Processes & Use of City Land to Facilitate More Affordable Housing
o Fill Data Gaps and Establish Effective Monitoring and Accountability Mechanisms
Financial implications have been addressed through the proposed 2021 budget,
including operational funding of $125,000 in Development Services to support housing
initiatives, existing staff resources in Planning and Economic Development, the council
approved creation of a position in the new Equity Team to ensure implementation of the
strategy and up to $15 million through the Economic Development Investment Fund and
development ofinnovative investment models, leadership and partnerships in creating
mixed-income communities.
Community engagement included in person and virtual meetings of the Advisory
Committee and its sub-committees, two Engage Kitchener Surveys to capture public
comments, meetings and interviews with diverse stakeholders and related engagement
in the creation of Make It Kitchener 2.0 where affordable and attainable housingwas
identified as the community’s top priority.
This report supports the Caring Community Strategic Plan Goal by creating an
Affordable Housing Strategy.
BACKGROUND:
On June 24, 2019 Council approved the 2019-2022 Strategic Plan, including the Caring
Community Goal which focuses in part on helping to make housing affordable and the
strategic action to create an Affordable Housing Strategyby 2020in collaboration with the
Region of Waterloo, development industry and not-for-profit housing service providers.
Council received the Affordable Housing Strategy Work Program summarized in the
following graphic on June 24, 2019.
Figure 1: Work Program
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The Affordable Housing Strategy Advisory Committee, formed to advise staff, first met in
November 2019 and met 9 times with their last meeting on November 26, 2020. Council
received the Housing Needs Assessment on January 13, 2020 and participated in a Strategy
Session focused on Affordable Housing Issues and Options on February 24, 2020. Council
identified homelessness as the top issue to focus on and noted the importance of supporting
the Region of Waterloo in their mandate to lead and address this issue. In addition, Council
wanted to see improvements to housing options across the housing continuum. Results of
an Engage Kitchener Survey launched on March 13, 2020 and concludingon May 8, 2020
informed the development of the draft Housing Strategy presented to Council on Aug 31,
2020. A second Engage Kitchener Survey launched on September 28, 2020 and concluding
on November 30, 2020, informed the creation of the recommended housing strategy.
Housing Situation
Kitchener’s housing situation has dramatically shifted since 2016. Key findings from the
Housing Needs Assessment showed a 41% increase in average rents andthat the average
price for a house increased by 104% between 2009 to 2019, with most of the increase since
2016. Recent information (July 2020) from the Kitchener Waterloo Association of Realtors
indicates that housing prices continue to rise in the city due in part to purchasers moving
from the Toronto area. This summer theaverage home price was reported to be $639,814
1
in Waterloo Region. As well, about 28% of renter households in the City are in Core
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Housing Need based on 2016 census information.
Ideally, housing needsand housing supply match up. In Kitchener’s case there is a gap
between housing needs and housing supply. There is a need for 450 units of supportive
housing, 5,000 units of community housing and 9,300 units of affordable rental housing to
fill gaps in the existing supply. Filling these needs became targets for the housing strategy.
What the City Can Do
Staff identified the municipal tools available to the City to address housing issues. Council
wanted to ensure that the housing strategy does not duplicate work done by the Region and
others. The array of tools available to the City of Kitchener are listed below.
Figure 2:Housing Tools Available to Local Municipalities
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Kitchener Waterloo Association of Realtors, 2020
2
CMHC defines a household as being in Core Housing Need if its housing costs more than 30% of the household
income to pay the median rent, and/or the housing requires major repairs and/or if there is overcrowding in the housing.
(CMHC)
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PORT:
RE
Housing for All is Kitchener’s comprehensive strategy to realize the right to housing using
the tools available to a local municipality. It is a five-year strategy that builds on work
underway, identifies new work to be undertaken, and promotes partnerships and
collaboration.
Housing Work Across the Region
Staff from the Region were represented on the Advisory Committee and contributed to
developing the strategy. The Region recently established an inter-municipal group to co-
ordinate and collaborate on housing and homelessness issues and opportunities. Each
municipality is identifying how it can contribute to address housing issues, including
reviewing municipal sites for affordable housing potential. The City of Waterloo has now
completed a needs assessment and their Council recently directed their staff to prepare a
housing strategy. Consideration of undertaking a housing strategy will be before City of
Cambridge Council in February. Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo staff are continuing to
work together to advance inclusionary zoning and are interested in further collaboration on
policies to advance affordable housing.
Kitchener Housing Targets
The following housing continuum graphic illustrates housing targets for the city by type of
housing and range of household incomes.
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Principles
Housing for All is developed on a foundation of the following principles:
Stable, secure, affordable housing asa human right shouldbe available for everyone
Lived-experience focused – implementationconsiderations must involve people
affected the most
Equity, diversity, and inclusion principles to help identify and remove barriers and
reinforce best practices
Explicit anti-racist/anti-discriminatory principles to address housing equity issues
Focus efforts on achievable actions in realistic timelines that Kitchener has
jurisdiction or resources to do
Work collaboratively with others through partnerships and creative solutions, to make
the needed substantive and long-lasting changes to help make housing affordable.
In addition to housing, coordinated support systems and income security must be in
place
Priorities and Actions
Housing for All is a five-year plan that contains seven priority areas with specific
implementing actions. The list of actions is extensive however, some work was underway
or has been started while the strategy was being prepared. The strategy serves to co-
ordinate work across several departmentsand with the Regionof Waterloo. Appendix B
contains the list of all actions and the status of work underway on implementation of Housing
for All as well as indicating assigned staff.
1.Human Rights Based Approach to Housing
Address Nimbyism
Develop and promote fact-based research
Ensure that theright to housing informs and is responsive to climate change
Provide sufficient resources to realize the right to housing
Collaborate with The Shift on a two-year pilot project to localize implementation of
housing as a human right
2.Commitment to Lived Experience Collaboration
Recognize and treat those in need of housing or related social benefits as experts in
what is required and able to positively inform the outcome of decision-making
processes
Ensure knowledge of rights and provide access to relevant information and sufficient
time to consult
Ensure meaningful participation in the design, implementation and monitoring of
housing policies and decisions
Work with community organizations, like the Social Development Centre, to
proactively identify and eliminate socio-economic barriers to participation
Create and implement a two-year pilot project for staff to work with and learn from a
Lived-Experience Working Group on addressing housing issues in the city, to gain
advice on strategy implementation and to monitor progress.
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3.Help End Homelessness
Target: Facilitate the creation of 450 units of new supportive housing
Provide leadership in providing 2 city sites to match 2 regional sites in Kitchener for
supportive housing
Advocate for the Region and local municipalities to provide sites for diverse types of
supportive housing across the region and for appropriate supports from Ontario
Health Teams
Advocate for ShelterCare to gain a permanent home
Work with the Region and operators to facilitate development of:
o OneROOF supportive housing for youth
o YWCA supportive housing for women
o A transition plan for A Better Tent City to move to an alternate location and provide
innovative supportive housing that meets resident’s needs
o Indwell redevelopment of St Marks Church for supportive housing
o Housing for people in encampments, in shelters and leaving homelessness
Advocate for the Region to address encampments incorporating a human rights-
based approach
Support the Region and Service Providers to improve and enhance the quality of
people centered information and Coordinated Access System to gain further insight
into the diverse types of supportive housing needed.
4.Help Secure Community, Affordable Rental and Affordable Ownership Housing
Target: Facilitate the creation of new community housing, new affordable rental and
new affordable home ownership housing, with a priority to focus on housing for
households with low incomes
Advocate for development of Kitchener’s share of options for households on the
Community Housing Waiting List
Identify City lands suitable for others to develop for affordable housing and seek to
incorporate community housing, below market rental & below market ownership units
Pilot 2 city sites involving community housing in proximity to transit /major transit
station areas
Help connect Kitchener’s experienced non-profit housing sector with developers,
through partnerships and creative solutions, to make the needed substantive and
long-lasting changes to help make housing more affordable
5.Advocacy
Jointly develop a Region/City Charter to ensure collaboration and opportunities to
identify and address housing challenges in Kitchener.
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Request the Region of Waterloo, in collaboration with local municipalities, non-profit
housing, support, and philanthropic organizations and the private sectors, to develop
a funding strategy to end homelessness through a reimagined shelter, supportive and
community housing plan.
Jointly advocate with the Region for Provincial and Federal funding for housing for
community building, sustainability and economic recovery, including:
oHouse of Friendship seeking 2 sites and funding for the ShelterCare integrated health
and transitional housing concept (80 units) and a supportive housing project (60 units)
oYWCA-KW seeking a site and funding for approximately 50 one-bedroom units of
affordable supportive housing for women
oThe Working Centre to acquire and renovate a second site (Water Street 2.0) and add
40 units of housing to their portfolio
oKitchener Housing Inc (KHI) seeking a site and working in partnership with a developer
to create new community housing and to purchase buildings to preserve affordable
housing
oOneROOF proposal to develop approximately 58 units of supportive housing for youth
who are homeless on their site
oA Better Tent City moving to an alternate location with innovative supportive housing
that meets resident’s needs
oWaterloo Region Habitat for Humanity seeking sites for affordable home ownership
oIndwell St Mark’s Redevelopment and 2-3 more sites in Kitchener for approximately
120 to 180 supportive housing units
oMenno Homes seeking funding to complete project under development
oHabilitation seeking funding for a supportive housing project
oReception House Waterloo Region seeking a site and funding for the development of
a Refugee Services Hub.
oThresholds Homes and Supports is seeking to develop 2 supportive housing sites
oKW Urban Native Wigwam Project is seeking to develop a site for affordable housing
oJohn Howard Society Waterloo-Wellington seeking funding for a full-time staff to help
develop a housing strategy/model
oChurch and Religious Institutions within the City have expressed interest in
redeveloping their surplus lands to accommodate affordable housing and are looking
for capital funds and development expertise
oPrivate Sector Affordable Housing developers have expressed interest in developing
more affordable housing units, but face barriers around acquiring sites and capital
funds.
Request the Region to revise its Housing and Homelessness Plan to further
incorporate local municipal input based on local needs identified through needs
assessments and continue to develop future plans in collaboration with local
municipalities, non-profit housing and service providers, philanthropic organizations
and the private sector.
Request (through AMO) that the Government of Ontario develop and adopt a
provincial housing strategy including measurable targets and sufficient funds for
ending homelessness and ensuring access of all Ontarians, including those of limited
income, to housing of an adequate standard without discrimination. It should also
take into consideration the needs of Indigenous people, LGBTQ people, people with
disabilities including mental illness, women experiencing domestic violence, lone
parents, immigrants and newcomers and other people living in poverty or with low
incomes.
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6.Align Policies, Processes & Use of City Land to Facilitate More Affordable Housing
Report to Council on the feasibility and implications of potential policies:
o Inclusionary Housing Policy and implementing Zoning Bylaw
o Lodging House Policy and implementing Zoning Bylaw
o Parking Waiver Policy and Zoning Bylaw for affordable housing developments
o Parkland Dedication Waiver Policy for affordable housing developments
o Tenant Assistance Policy and implementing Bylaw to mitigate impacts from
redevelopment of rental apartments on current tenants, including consideration of
developers providing advance notice & assistance to residents eg. relocation support
o Community Improvement Plan for affordable housing
Continue improving the development approval process with input from the
development industry and the community
Consider fast trackingnon-profit and affordable housing developments through city
processes
Continue the Fee Waiver Policy for non-profit organizations and consider expanding
its application to affordable housing units provided in private sector development
applications
Consider establishment of an Affordable Housing Reserve Fund to support affordable
housing initiatives
Develop a strategy for the use of city lands for affordable housing and play a
leadership role in advancing innovative mixed housing communities, as a model for
other Canadian communities to replicate
Assess feasibility of including affordable housing in the development of new or
redeveloped City facilities, eg. community centers
Request the Region to prioritize collaborative determination and designation of Major
Transit Station Areas in the Regional Official Plan
Request the Region and School Boards to consider reviewing with the City the
feasibility and implications of reducing the Regional and School Board shares of
Development Charges for affordable housing development
Requestthe Region to considerfeasibility and implications for funding for growth
related (future) affordable housing developments in creating development charge
policies
7.Fill Data Gaps and Establish Effective Monitoring and Accountability Mechanism
Provide annual updates to Council, the public and staff on housing needs
assessments
Provide regular public reports on success and challenges in implementing Housing
for All
Undertake additional work to assess housing needs for:
o Indigenous people
o LBGTQ+ community
o People earning the minimum wage
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o People who are homeless – especially for people with mental health and addiction
challenges
o People with disabilities with low to moderate incomes
o Recent immigrants
o Seniors, especially those in rental housing or requiring care. (The population aged 65
years and older increased by 35% from 2006 to 2016 and is expected to almost double
(increase by 94%) by 2041.
o Single parents
o Students and youth
Track and monitor renovictions, where tenants are displaced from their homes to
allow major renovations or redevelopment to proceed and housing held for
investment in Kitchener
Use the City’s Social Media Platforms to engage and inform the public on addressing
housing issues in the city
Develop an annual work plan to implement Housing for All including timing and
responsibilities, to be used to inform annual budgets
Recommend an annual operating amount to support housing initiatives
Provide staffing to support implementation of the Affordable Housing Strategy
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports the Caring Community Strategic Plan Goal by creating an Affordable
Housing Strategy in collaboration with the Region of Waterloo, community groups and the
development industry.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Financial implications have been addressed through the proposed 2021 budget, including:
annual operational funding of $125,000 to support housing initiatives,
existing staff resources in Planning and Economic Development,
creation of a council approved position on the new Equity Team to ensure completion
of the strategy, and
up to $15 million through the Economic Development Investment Fund for
development of innovative investment models, leadership and partnerships in
creating mixed-income communities.
The recommendations have no impact on the Capital Budget and no impact on the proposed
2021 Operating Budget.
Federal and provincial governments have pledged funding for municipalities to deal with the
pandemic, including providing housing for people who are homelessand funding for
affordable housing. Funding would be administered through the Region. Kitchener’s work
on the needs assessment and the identification of opportunities with non-profit and service
providers has positioned it well to help advocate for and attract needed funding for creating
new affordable housing.
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
This phase of the project primarily used the INFORM and CONSULT aspects of the City’s
engagement strategy with COLLABORATE for data components. Appendix C provides a
summary of the engagement and the list of engagement contacts. The community was
engaged using the following methods:
Advisory Committee workshops and sub-committee meetings
Engage Kitchener Surveys
One-on-one stakeholder interviews
Meetings with community groups
Kitchener Market
Social media posts.
It is estimated that city staff engaged with close to 500 people including citizens,
stakeholders, members of the Advisory Committee, city staff and Members of Council.
The Engagement sub-committee suggests that City staff move towards the COLLBORATE
and EMPOWER aspects on the City’s engagement strategy and explore new ways of
engaging with the public including moving away from point-in-time engagement to
meaningfully engaging, empowering and collaborating with people with lived experience.
INFORM - This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of
the committee/council meeting.
Affordable Housing Strategy Advisory Committee
The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee is composed of members of the public, four
members of Council, representatives of the non-profit community, the development
community, academia and regional and city staff. The Committee Co-Chairs are Karen
Coviello, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Regionand Justin Readman, General
Manager of Development Services at the City of Kitchener. The Committee has made
significant contributions, through brainstorming, review and comments, and in providing their
insights to support the creation of Housing for All. The Committee played a significant role
in advocating for people with lived experience to be heard and their views addressedin
developing and implementing the strategy.
The Affordable Housing Strategy Advisory Committee provided information and feedback
on the following:
Kitchener Housing Needs Assessment
Housing Continuum focus
Identifying the Key Stakeholders
Engagement
Housing as a Human Right
Lived Experience
Advocacy
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Quick Wins and Key Directions
Draft Strategy
Prioritizing City Actions
Recommended Strategy
Four sub-committeeswere formed to focus on:
Affordability
Engagement
Research and Best Practices
Lodging House Review
The Affordable Housing Strategy Advisory Committee has fulfilled its mandate and will be
wound down once Council approves the Affordable Housing Strategy.Staff will commence
implementation of the housing strategy and report to Council on regular intervals to update
on progress.
The Affordability sub-committee undertook research and proposed a definition of
affordability.Staff will consider this work in the process of developing affordability targets
for non market-based housing policies, including inclusionary zoning.
The Engagement sub-committee drafted terms of reference for a lived experience group to
provide advice on implementing the housing strategy. Staff will refine and finalize the terms
of reference and establish the lived experience working group.
The Research and Best Practices sub-committee provided input throughout the
development of the strategy.
The Lodging House sub-committee members will commence working with staff in early
2021. This work was delayed due to the pandemic.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION OF THIS MATTER:
DSD-20-108 – Draft Housing Strategy – Tabled for Public Input
DSD-20-034 – Council Strategy Session – Affordable Housing Issues and Options
DSD-20-006 – Affordable Housing Strategy Phase 2: Housing Needs Assessment
DSD-19-134 – Affordable Housing Strategy – Work Program Overview
CAO-19-010 – City of Kitchener 2019-2022 Strategic Plan
CSD-17-034 – Development Incentives for Affordable Housing Implementation
CSD-17-018 – Development Incentives for Affordable Housing – Phase 2
CSD-15-085 – Development Incentives for Affordable Housing Discussion Paper
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services
Attachments:
Appendix A: Housing for All – Recommended Housing Strategy
Appendix B: Status of Work Underway on Implementation of Housing for All
Appendix C: Engagement Summary
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ndix A: Housing for All – Recommended Housing Strategy
Appe
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caring community.
a blueprint for a more
December 2020
Housing For All
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is the City of Kitchener’s
ations Special
eur on Housing,
For All
Leilani Farha, United NRapport February 2020
.”
Housing comprehensive strategy to realize the right to housing and help make housing available to a local municipality.
“ ”
“The present global housing crisis is not like any previous crisis of its kind. It is not caused by a decline in resources or an economic downturn but rather by economic growth, expansion
and driver of growing socioeconomic inequality, increasing wealth for those who own housing and driving those who do not into greater debt and poverty
For All
development industry.
Responding to public concern over expressed by the public in the Strategic Plan Environics Survey, Council directed completed by 2020 in collaboration with the Region of Waterloo, community
groups and
A Human Rights Based Strategy to Address Homelessness and Housing
Housing
2
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In order to uphold commitments made to respond to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a region-wide Reconciliation Action Plan is being launched by area municipalities
and the Region. This work will involve comprehensive engagement with local Indigenous communities, including Elders, knowledge keepers and youth, to better understand the range of interests,
community needs, opportunities, and associated challenges experienced locally.
Land and Call to Action Acknowledgement We acknowledge that Kitchener is situated on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and our responsibility to serve as stewards
for the land and honour the original caretakers who came before us. We would also like to acknowledge that our community is enriched by the enduring knowledge and deep-rooted traditions
of the diverse First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Kitchener today.We acknowledge that the City’s initial response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is
a starting point in the City’s journey to develop meaningful relationships and work toward reconciliation with the local First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. We recognize and
acknowledge, however, that a more comprehensive approach to reconciliation is required to address systemic inequities, racism and to better support, celebrate and deliver services to
Indigenous Peoples in Kitchener.
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Brian Doucet
Alex Sumner, Mike Maxwell,
Debbie Chapman, Christine Michaud,
Ryan Pettipiere
Rhonda Wideman
was prepared under the direction of Justin Readman, General Manager of Development Planning Division, Andrew Ramsaroop, Planning Division, Mike Seiling, Building Division, Brandon Technology
Innovation and Services
Council: Dave Schnider, Paul Singh Industry: Academic: Region:LHIN:
informed by the voices of those with lived experience, generously shared through in-person, virtual and survey connections. We would like to thank Co-Chairs Karen Coviello members.
Acknowledgments
Public: Regan Sunshine Brussé, Charles Nichols, Alan Praught, Janice Bock.Karen Coviello, Dan Driedger, Aleksandra Petrovic Graonic, Jessica Bondy, Joe Mancini, Al Mills, Carl Cadogan
4
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Kitchener is a dynamic city experiencing strong recent growth and development which is expected to continue in the future. Kitchener is part of the fastest growing region in Canada.
Over a 25-year period, Kitchener is expected to grow by approximately 80,000 people, which is equivalent to about 35,000 new households . The city is changing with taller buildings,
increasing urbanization and a trend to smaller household sizes. This growth
The city is attracting a wide diversity of people eager to live and work in attracting and retaining residents requires housing options that serve all income levels and household types.
As our city becomes more diverse, we must become a more equitable and inclusive community. A city where everyone feels like they belong, are welcome, their needs are met and they can
fully share in our city’s prosperity.
market for housing and applications to permit new residential development continue to be submitted to the city. Many businesses are struggling due to stay safe - if you had a home.
Responding to homelessness during the pandemic demonstrated that as a society we could do better. Providing housing and supports resulted in improvements in health and housing outcomes
for people who are homeless.
Pandemic
Overview Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
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help identify and
is a human right and needs
– implementation must involve
with others through partnerships and
Housing for All is developed on the following principles:
The current housing delivery and support system is not functioning cannot be met by market forces and the development industry needed to meet people’s needs.
to be available for everyoneremove barriers and reinforce best practices that Kitchener has jurisdiction or resources to do creative solutions, to make the needed substantive and long-In
addition to housing,
Housing for All is our strategy to realize the right to housing.
6
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For All
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“The City of Kitchener has the opportunity to be a leader in Waterloo Region. We need bold iand bold, decisive actions are the only thing that will get us ahead of the curve.”
Housing for the City to address to reduce inequality in our Collaboration Monitoring and Accountability Mechanism
housing continuum - from homelessness to issues throughout the housing continuum issues throughout the continuum. All levels of government, the private sector and the non-housing need
in a community.
Housing Continuum
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* the numbers around the perimeter of Wheelhouse are the City’s targets** The numbers within the Wheelhouse are income deciles for Kitchener
Housing
Housing
Community
Supportive
Shelter
Housing
Home
Ownership
HomelessEmergency
a
Home
Housing
Ownership
The Wheelhouse: new way of looking at the housing contiuum 8
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dvocacy
A
Contents
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Healthcare Equitable
: Healthcare on
26%
Healthcare
Theme 1: 28% answered: system and housing system need to be interconnected.Theme 2:answered: access to healthcare for the most vulnerable populations.Theme 3: 13% answered location including
mobile clinics.
Post-
Post- Post-
Education
Theme 2: 13% answered:secondary institutions are responsible for educating and removing stigma.Theme 3: 12% answered:secondary institutions should provide more socially aware and inclusive
educations in planning, health and economics.
Post- Secondary
Theme 1: 19% answered: secondary institutions should be responsible for providing adequate for students.
Theme 1: 20% answered: housing providers should provide good housing, diverse options and appropriate supports.
Theme 2: 15% answered:housing providers should continue to listen and advocate.Theme 3: 15% answered: housing providers need more support, funding and resources.
The
Private
Private
Theme 1: 15% answered: need for the private sector/developers to collaborate with government and non-
Theme 2: 15% of answered: Sector should have an awareness of the need in the community.
Theme 3: 14% of answered: sector should have a social responsibility to the community,
Private Sector
Roles Everyone has a role to play in addressing homelessness and housing issues. Public opinion from Kitchener residents on how the various sectors can contribute to addressing housing
and homelessness issues is summarized below*.
Theme 3: 6% answered: Government should establish guidelines and regulations to housing.
Theme 1: 26% answered: Government should provide development incentives.
Theme 2: 8% answered: between levels of government.* This chart is derived from the Phase 3 Engage Kitchener Survey
Government
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11
Direct
Sharing
Provision
Financial
and Land
Advocacy
Information
Planning
Education
Strategies
Partnerships
Process
Research
Approval
uses all of these tools, except
For All
What the City Can Do Under provincial housing services legislation, the System Manager responsible to address housing and homelessness issues from a public sector perspective. We support
the Region in delivering its to be complementary and supportive of Region of Waterloo mandate, roles, responsibilities and their are unique to the City and where Kitchener has jurisdiction
or resources. Housing direct provision of housing. The City leaves direct provision to experienced housing builders and by the City but now operates at arms-length from the municipality
and receives funding from the sector housing builders and operators.
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fact-based
ugust 2020
ngage Kitchener
Survey RespondentEA
with the Shift on a two-year
Nimbyism
“ ”
that the right to housing informs
housing, elimination of NIMBYism, a proactive approach to homelessness (give people homes!!), and an explicit commitment to anti-racism and anti-discrimination”
researchand is responsive to climate change right to housingpilot project to localize implementation of housing as a human right
Actions:•••••
it has potable water, sanitation facilities, electricity and other basic services, and it is accessible to schools, health services and employment opportunities.Rights to health, education,
and employment,Rights to non-discrimination, equality, inclusion,Right to life, security and sustainability.
•••The right to housing is interdependent with •••
Human Rights Based
Priority 1: Approach to Housing
The Government of Canada committed to the United Nations that we would “recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living… including adequate food, clothing and housing.”
In 2019 Canadian law recognized that the right to adequate housing is a fundamental human right by passing the The right to adequate housing means all levels of governments must ensure
that everyone – especially the disadvantaged - has access to adequate housing.
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Recognize and treat those in need of experts in what is required and able to positively inform the outcome of decision-making processes Ensure knowledge of rights and provide access
to relevant information and Ensure meaningful participation in the design, implementation and monitoring of housing policies and decisions Work with community organizations,to proactively
identify and eliminate socio-economic barriers to participation Create and implement a two-year pilot on addressing housing issues in the city, to gain advice on strategy implementation
and monitor progress.
Actions:•••••
across the housing continuum. We need to be people focused – to listen and learn from Rights-based participation supported by government transforms residents into active citizens and
engaged community members, sustainable communities. and well housed. We understand that some voices feel unheard, undervalued or unseen in our community and don’t feel represented in
decision-making. We know that this must change. We still have so much more to learn and hear from our residents. The journey ahead still needs your vision, your input, your energy,
your investment and your talent to bring the strategy to life. To ensure a collective direction, ongoing collaboration and dialogue is essential. We can’t create a community where everyone
can make a for All, together!
Commitment to Lived Experience
Priority 2: Collaboration
Kitchener is attracting a wide diversity of people eager to live and work in the long-term prosperity, as attracting and retaining residents requires housing options that serve all income
levels and household types. As our city becomes more diverse, we must become a more equitable and inclusive community. A city where everyone feels like they belong, are welcome, their
needs are met and they can fully share in our city’s prosperity. To ensure equitable, diverse inclusive communities, housing must serve as a safety net, a platform and as a building
block for inclusion.The Needs Assessment and the responses to the engagement survey indicate that more than half of residents in Kitchener have phenomenon within the city that has been
increasing since 2016. We need to develop
6 - 25
for the Region to address
the Region and Service Providers
YWCA supportive housing for womenA transition plan for A Better Tent City to move to an alternate location and provide innovative supportive housing that meets resident’s need Indwell
redevelopment of St Marks Church for supportive housing in shelters and leaving homelessness
encampments incorporating a human rights-based approachto improve and enhance the quality of people centered information and Coordinated Access System to gain further insight into the
diverse types of supportive housing needed
••
the Region and operators to
for the Region and local for ShelterCare to gain a
leadership in providing 2
OneROOF supportive housing for youth
city sites to match 2 regional sites in Kitchener for supportive housingmunicipalities to provide sites for diverse types of supportive housing across the region and for appropriate
permanent home
Actions:Eliminate homelessness in the shortest ••••
Help End Homelessness
ugust 2020
ngage Kitchener
Survey RespondentEA
“ ”
Priority 3:
“there are many marginalized groups in the city that face unique barriers in accessing housing. The city should have an understanding of how these barriers can intersect to bar people
from
the creation of 450 units of new
60 housing units for youth 70 housing units for women 170 housing units for men50 housing units for people with acute concurrent mental health and addiction challenges100 units for people
with cognitive challenges
Meeting the needs of our most vulnerable citizens requires creative solutions and the Region and community partners to create sustainable solutions to address the needs of people who
are homeless in our city. Targets:supportive housing.•••••
14
6 - 26
15
Kitchener’s experienced non-
development of Kitchener’s share
City lands suitable for others to develop
2 city sites involving community housing
of options for households on the Community community housing, below market rental and below market ownership unitsin proximity to transit /major transit station areaspartnerships and
creative solutions, to make the needed substantive and long-lasting
Actions: ••••
creation of new community
our community. We need to ensure a need to think beyond housing to ensure all aspects of our community enable an Targets: with a priority to focus on housing for households with low
incomes.
for many
across the Region
Priority 4: Ownership Housing
at monthly rents under $1,300 for
are currently on the waiting list for Rent Supplement and Below Market Rent live in Kitchener. people with household incomes under $63,000 are needed. Nearly 4,000 are for people paying
more than 50% of their income on rent.households.
•••
6 - 27
(through AMO) that the
Request Government of Ontario develop and adopt a provincial housing strategy including measurable targets homelessness and ensuring access of all Ontarians, including those of limited
income, to housing of an adequate standard without discrimination. It should also take into consideration the needs of Indigenous people, including mental illness, women experiencing
domestic violence, lone parents, immigrants and newcomers and other people living in poverty or with low incomes.
•
the Region of Waterloo, in the Region to revise its
Request collaboration with local municipalities, philanthropic organizations and the private sectors, to develop a funding strategy to end homelessness through a reimagined shelter,
supportive and community housing plan. Request further incorporate local municipal through the City’s Needs Assessment and continue to develop future plans in collaboration with local
municipalities, providers, philanthropic organizations and the private sector.
••
Advocacy
ugust 2020
ngage Kitchener
Survey RespondentEA
a Region/City Charter to
Priority 5:
“ ”
“Whether you are on OW, Ontario disability, a senior working \[or\] make a low Income there housing that is in good repair, safe, that you can would end up in a shelter or the street”
ensure collaboration and opportunities to identify and address housing challenges in Kitchener.
Advocacy can bring about change to political priorities, funding levels, legislation, and and homelessness are framed with clear proposals to address the issues and enlisting other partners
to augment federal and provincial funding are keys to success.Actions: •
16
6 - 28
17
seeking funding for a full-
ohn Howard Society Waterloo-
J Wellington strategy/model Church and Religious Institutions within the City have expressed interest in redeveloping their surplus lands to need capital funds and development expertise
Private Sector developers have expressed interest in units, but face barriers around acquiring sites and capital funds.
•••
is
moving to an alternate
seeking funding for a
seeking funding to
St Mark’s Redevelopment
A Better Tent City location with innovative supportive housing that meets resident’s needs Waterloo Region Habitat for Humanity ownership Indwell and 2-3 more sites in Kitchener for
approximately 120 to 180 supportive housing units Menno Homes complete project under development KW Habilitation supportive housing project Reception House Waterloo Region seeking a
site and funding for the development of a Refugee Services Thresholds Homes and Supports is seeking to develop 2 supportive housing sites KW Urban Native Wigwam Project housing
••••••••
seeking a
to acquire and
seeking 2 sites and
for Provincial and
seeking a site and funding
proposal to develop
Continued
House of Friendship funding for the ShelterCare integrated health and transitional housing concept (80 units) and for supportive housing project (60 units)YWCA-KW for approximately 50
one-bedroom for women The Working Centre renovate a second site (Water Street 2.0) and add 40 units of housing to their portfolio Kitchener Housing Inc (KHI)site and working in partnership
with a developer to create new community housing and to purchase buildings to OneROOF approximately 58 units of supportive housing for youth who are homeless on their site
Federal funding for housing for community building, sustainability and •••••
•
Priority 5:
6 - 29
for
for
and implementing
the development
developments
•••approval process with input from the development industry and the community
•
and
and
y
and implementing
on the feasibility and
implementing Zoning Bylaw Zoning Bylaw implementing Bylaw to mitigate impacts from redevelopment of rental apartments on current tenants, including consideration of developers providing
advanced notice and assistance to residents including relocation plans
implications of the following potential •••
Actions:•
Align Policies, Processes and Use of City Land to
Priority 6:
role to play in establishing policies that residents. Reducing time and costs in the development review process can contribute housing generates a broad range of jobs and could have
a major impact on the pandemic and wellbeing.
18
6 - 30
19
the Region and School the Region to consider
Request Boards to consider reviewing with the City the feasibility and implications of reducing the Regional and School Board shares of development development Request feasibility and
implications for funding for growth related (future) in creating development charge policies
••
feasibility of including
a strategy for the use of the Region to prioritize
and play a leadership role in advancing innovative mixed housing communities, as a model for other Canadian communities to replicate.Assess development of new or redeveloped City facilities,
eg. community centers Request collaborative determination and designation of Major Transit Station
•••
of an
Continued
the Fee Waiver Policy for
through city processeshousing units provided in private sector development applications.
Priority 6:•••
6 - 31
amily with a Child with
Fa DisabilityDecember 2020
“ ”
“Many adults with developmental disabilities live with their aging parents. They are not even counted as needing housing, and yet they’re only one family health issue away from potentially
being homeless or falling into patterns of addiction and mental health challenges \[...\]”
renovictions, where
to support
an annual operating amount
an annual work plan to
the City’s Social Media Platforms
Seniors, especially those in rental housing or requiring care. (The population aged 65 years and older increased by 35% from 2006 to 2016 and is expected to almost double (increase by
94%) by 2041.Single parentsStudents and youth
•••tenants are displaced from their homes to allow major renovations or redevelopment to proceed and housing held for investment in Kitchener. Use to engage and inform the public on
addressing housing issues in the city.timing and responsibilities, to be used to inform annual budgetsto support housing initiatives Strategy
•••••
to assess
Priority 7:Monitoring and Accountability Mechanisms
regular updates to Council, regular public reports on success
Indigenous peoplePeople earning the minimum wagePeople who are homeless – especially for people with mental health and addiction challengesPeople with disabilities with low to moderate
incomesRecent immigrants
assessmentsfor All••••••
Council members requested that the 2020 and reported regularly back to Council.Actions: •••
20
6 - 32
21
The Working Centre’s “Water
Daetwyler in Vogelsang Green, Kitchener.
6 - 33
December 2020
Housing For All
6 - 34
Appendix B: Status of Work Underway on Implementation of Housing for All
Priority 1: Human Rights Based Approach to Housing
Action: Address Nimbyism
Status: City staff has begun work to address Nimbyism through the development of the Housing Strategy. City staff is
currently working on a lived experience working group focused on the research from the SDCWR and The SHIFT
Staff: Planning, Equity
Action: Develop and promote fact-based research
Status: City staff has begun work to address fact-based research and its role in addressing Nimbyism through the
development of the Housing Strategy. The City supported the Social Development Centre and UW to promote lived
experience-based research around displacement. City staff are currently working on a lived experience working group
focused on the research from the SDCWR and The SHIFT.
Staff: Planning, Equity
Action: Ensure that the right to housing informs and is responsive to climate change
Status: Preliminary opportunities for further research have been identified with the housing strategy and the City’s
Sustainability Office and as well as REEP to look into energy poverty, and climate change vulnerability
Staff: Planning, Sustainability -Underway
Action: Provide sufficient resources to realize the right to housing
TBD
Action:Collaborate with the Shift on a two-year pilot project to localize implementation of housing as a human right
Status: To commence in January
Staff: Planning and Equity
Priority 2: Commitment to Lived Experience Collaboration Transparent and Participatory Decision-Making
Action: Recognize and treat those in need of housing or related social benefits as experts in what is required and
able to positively inform the outcome of decision-making processes
Status: City staff, through the Advisory Committee, has learned about working with those with lived experience. We
have identified we have much more to learn. The Engagement Sub-committee has drafted a terms of reference that
envisions an implementing working group with majority lived experience membership
Staff: Equity
Action: Ensure knowledge of rights and provide access to relevant information and sufficient time to consult
Status: TBD
Staff: Equity
Action: Ensure meaningful participation in the design, implementation and monitoring of housing policies &
decisions
Status: TBD
Staff: Planning, Equity
Action: Work with community organizations, like the Social Development Centre, to proactively identify and
eliminate socio-economic barriers to participation
Status: TBD
Staff: Planning, Equity
Action: Create and implement a two-year pilot project for staff to work with and learn from a Lived-Experience
Working Group on addressing housing issues in the city, to gain advice on strategy implementation and monitor
progress.
Status: Terms of Reference to be finalized
Staff: Planning, Equity
Priority 3: Help End Homelessness
Set Targets: Facilitate the creation of 450 units of new transitional and supportive housing. This includes:
• 60 housing units for youth
•70 housing units for women
6 - 35
• 170 housing units for men
• 50 housing units for people with acute concurrent mental health and addiction challenges
• 100 units for people with cognitive challenges
Status: Underway
Staff: Region of Waterloo with support from Planning, Economic Development
Action: Provide leadership in providing 2 city sites to match 2 regional sites in Kitchener for supportive housing
Status – Underway
Staff: Economic Development
Action: Advocate for the Region and local municipalities to provide sites for diverse types of supportive housing
across the region and for appropriate supports from Ontario Health Teams
Status: Underway
Staff: Economic Development, Equity
Action: Advocate for ShelterCare to gain a permanent home
Status: Underway
Staff: Office of CAO, Equity
Action: Work with the Region and operators to facilitate development of:
OneROOF Roof supportive housing for youth
YWCA supportive housing for women
A transition plan for A Better Tent City to move to an alternate location and provide innovative supportive
housing that meets resident’s needs
Indwell redevelopment of St Marks Church for supportive housing
Housing for people in encampments, in shelters and leaving homelessness -
Status: Underway
Staff: Planning, Equity, Economic Development
Action: Advocate for the Region to address encampments incorporating a human rights-based approach
Status: Underway
Staff: Office of CAO, Equity
Action: Support the Region and Service Providers to improve and enhance the quality of the existing people
centered information and the Coordinated Access System to gain further insight into the diverse types of supportive
housing needed.
Status: Underway
Staff: Office of the CAO, Equity - Underway
Priority 4: Help Secure Community, Affordable Rental and Affordable Ownership Housing
Action: Facilitate developing Kitchener’s share of options for households on the Community Housing Waiting List
Status: TBD
Staff: Economic Development, Planning
Action: Identify City lands suitable for others to develop for affordable housing and seek to incorporate community
housing, below market rental and below market ownership units
Status: Underway
Staff: Economic Development
Action: Pilot 2 city sites involving community housing in proximity to transit /major transit station areas
Status: Underway
Staff: Economic Development
Action: Help connect Kitchener’s experienced non-profit housing sector with developers, through partnerships and
creative solutions, to make the needed substantive and long-lasting changes to help make housing more affordable
Status: Underway
Staff: Economic Development
6 - 36
Priority 5: Advocacy
Action: Jointly develop a Region/City Charter to ensure collaboration and opportunities to identify and address
housing challenges in Kitchener.
Status: Underway
Staff: CAO Office, Planning, Equity
Action: Request the Region of Waterloo, in collaboration with local municipalities, non-profit housing, support, and
philanthropic organizations and the private sectors, to develop a funding strategy to end homelessness through a
reimagined shelter, supportive and community housing plan.
Status: Underway
Staff: Planning, Equity, Economic Development
Action: Jointly advocate for Provincial and Federal funding for housing for community building, sustainability and
economic recovery, including:
House of Friendship seeking 2 sites and funding for the ShelterCare integrated health and transitional housing
concept (80 units) and for supportive housing project (60 units)
YWCA-KW seeking a site and funding for approximately 50 one-bedroom units of affordable supportive
housing for women
The Working Centre to acquire and renovate a second site (Water Street 2.0) and add 40 units of housing to
their portfolio
Kitchener Housing Inc (KHI) seeking a site and working in partnership with a developer to create new
community housing and to purchase buildings to preserve affordable housing
OneROOF has a Roof’s proposal to develop approximately 58 units of supportive housing for youth who are
homeless on their site
A Better Tent City moving e to an alternate location with innovative supportive housing that meets resident’s
needs
Waterloo Region Habitat for Humanity seeking sites for affordable home ownership
Indwell St Mark’s Redevelopment and 2-3 more sites in Kitchener for approximately 120 to 180 supportive
housing units
Menno Homes seeking funding to complete project under development
Habilitation seeking funding for a supportive housing project
Reception House Waterloo Region seeking a site and funding for the development of a Refugee Services Hub.
Thresholds Homes and Supports is seeking to develop 2 supportive housing sites
KW Urban Native Wigwam is seeking to develop a site for unites of affordable housing
John Howard Society Waterloo-Wellington seeking funding for a full-time staff to help develop a housing
strategy/model
Church and Religious Institutions within the City have expressed interest in redeveloping their surplus lands to
accommodate affordable housing and need capital funds and development expertise
Private Sector Affordable Housing developers have expressed interest in developing more affordable housing
units, but face barriers around acquiring sites and capital funds.
Status: Underway
Staff: CAO Office, Planning, Economic Development
Action: Request the Region to revise its Housing and Homelessness Plan to further incorporate local municipal input
based on local needs identified through the City’s Needs Assessment and continue to develop future plans in
collaboration with local municipalities, non-profit housing and service providers, philanthropic organizations and the
private sector.
Status: Underway
Staff: Planning
Action: Request (through AMO) that the Government of Ontario develop and adopt a provincial housing strategy
including measurable targets and sufficient funds for ending homelessness and ensuring access of all Ontarians,
including those of limited income, to housing of an adequate standard without discrimination. It should also take
into consideration the needs of Indigenous people, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities including mental illness,
6 - 37
women experiencing domestic violence, lone parents, immigrants and newcomers and other people living in poverty
or with low incomes.
Status: TBD
Staff: Mayor’s Office
Priority 6: Align Policies, Processes and Use of City Land to Facilitate More Affordable Housing
Report to Council on the feasibility and implications of the following potential policies:
Inclusionary Housing Policy and implementing Zoning Bylaw (Underway)
Lodging House Policy and implementing Zoning Bylaw (Underway)
Parking Waiver Policy and implementing Zoning Bylaw for affordable housing developments (Underway)
Parkland Dedication Waiver Policy for affordable housing developments (Underway)
Tenant Assistance Policy and implementing Bylaw to mitigate impacts from redevelopment of rental
apartments on current tenants, including consideration of developers providing advanced notice and
assistance to residents including relocation plans
Community Improvement Plan for affordable housing
Status: Underway
Staff: Planning
Action: Continue improving the development approval process with input from the development industry and the
community
Status: Underway
Staff: Planning
Action: Consider Fast Tracking non-profit and affordable housing developments through city processes
Status: Underway
Staff: Planning
Action: Continue the Fee Waiver Policy for non-profit organizations and consider expanding its application to
affordable housing units provided in private sector development applications.
Status: TBD
Staff: Planning and Finance
Action:Consider establishment of an Affordable Housing Reserve Fund to support affordable housing initiatives
Status: TBD
Staff: Planning and Finance
Action: Develop a strategy for the use of city lands for affordable housing and play a leadership role in advancing
innovative mixed housing communities, as a model for other Canadian communities to replicate.
Status: Underway
Economic Development
Action: Assess feasibility of including affordable housing in the development of new or redeveloped City facilities,
eg. community centers
Status: TBD
Action: Request the Region to prioritize collaborative determination and designation of Major Transit Station Areas
in the Regional Official Plan
Status: Underway
Staff: Planning
Action: Request the Region and School Boards to consider reviewing with the City the feasibility and implications of
reducing the Regional and School Board shares of Development Charges for affordable housing development
Status: TBD
Finance staff
Action: Request Region to consider feasibility and implications of funding for growth related (future) affordable
housing developments in creating development charge policies
Status: TBD
Staff: Finance staff
6 - 38
Priority 7: Fill Data Gapsand Establish Effective Monitoring and Accountability Mechanisms
Action: Provide regular updates to Council, the public and staff on housing needs assessments
Status: TBD
Planning to prepare this in conjunction with Economic Development and Equity
Action: Provide regular public reports on success and challenges in implementing Housing for All
Status: TBD
Staff: Equity position toreport on this
Action: Undertake additional work to assess housing needs for:
Indigenous people
LBGTQ+ community
People earning the minimum wage
People who are homeless – especially for people with mental health and addiction challenges
People with disabilities with low to moderate incomes
Recent immigrants
Seniors, especially those in rental housing or requiring care. (The population aged 65 years and older
increased by 35% from 2006 to 2016 and is expected to almost double (increase by 94%) by 2041.
Single parents
Students and youth
Status: TBD
Staff: Planning, Equity
Action: Track and monitor renovictions, where tenants are displaced from their homes to allow major renovations or
redevelopment to proceed and housing held for investment in Kitchener.
Status: TBD
Staff: Planning
Action: Use City’s Social Media Platforms to engage and inform the public on addressing housing issues in the city.
Status: TBD
Staff: Communications
Action: Develop an annual work plan to implement Housing for All including timing and responsibilities, to be used
to inform annual budgets
Status: TBD
Staff: TBD
Action: Recommend an annual operating amount to support housing initiatives
Status: DSD Operating budget includes $125,000
Staff: TBD
Action: Provide staffing to support implementation of the Affordable Housing Strategy
Status: Existing staff resources in Planning and Economic Development and creation of the position on the new Equity
Team to ensure completion of the strategy
6 - 39
Appendix C: Engagement Summary
Draft Housing Strategy
Engagement Results
Please tell us what you like about the
Draft Housing Strategy
What could make this document
Supportive Housing and other needed housing.
even better?
24%
27%
Right to Housing, Human Rights and Equity
Diversity and Inclusion
19%
Greater
focus on
groups
Liked the Strategy overall
19%
10%
15%
More
opportunities
More
to increase
What other guiding principles do
explanation
social and
you believe should be added?on actions,
co-operative
housing and
action and
innovative
more concise
uses of land
document
More thoroughly
What else should be considered
identifying groups
%
2
2
who are most
Strategy?
Quicker Timelines for
11% said more
11%
50% said more
these goals
representation
clear language,
of lived
concise and easier
experience
to digest
Environment and
11%
Climate Change
11% said easier
Top 5 Actions Based on Priorities
to navigate
1.2.3.4.5.
Identifying A priority Identifying
Inclusionary
City and pilot project – City lands of including
Zoning – Ranked
Regional Ranked high AH in the
high priority by
sites for priority by others to development
54%
permanent 49%develop – of new or
supportive
Ranked high redeveloped
housing – priority by City facilities
Ranked high 46%–Ranked
priority by high priority
52%by 45%
6 - 40
Engagement Contacts
1. Advisory 9 Advisory Committee Meetings
Committee o First Meeting: Introduction and Reviewing Workplan
Meetings o Second Meeting: Issues and Opportunities and Priorities on the
Continuum
o Third Meeting: Building Engagement and Issues and Options
o Fourth Meeting (Virtual): Key Directions
o Fifth Meeting (Virtual): Finalizing Key Directions and Envisioning
the Draft Strategy
o Sixth Meeting (Virtual): Committee received the first Draft of the
Housing Strategy and provided comments
o Seventh Meeting (Virtual): Committee updates on engagement,
and recent council decisions
o Eighth Meeting (Virtual): Committee updates on Sub-committee
work, engagement and other relevant city documents
o Ninth Meeting (Virtual): Committee received the recommended
Housing Strategy: Housing for all
Sub-committee meetings
o Affordability Sub-committee
o Engagement Sub-committee
o Research and Best Practices Sub-Committee
o Lodging House Sub-committee (Staff working group)
2. Stakeholder Non-Profit Community
Interviews o Kitchener Housing Inc.
o REEP Green Solutions
o Traverse Independence
o KW Urban Native Wigwam
o Social Development Centre Waterloo Region
o KW Multicultural Centre
o YWKW
o Ray of Hope
o House of Friendship
o The Working Centre
o A Better Tent City
o John Howard Society of Waterloo-Wellington
o One Roof
o Indwell
o Wellbeing Waterloo Region Staff
Post Secondary
o Conestoga Students Inc.
o UW Supportive Housing Researchers
o UW Peace and Conflict -Map the System Affordable Housing
Government
o Region of Waterloo Housing Staff
o City of Kitchener Staff
Kitchener Fire
By-law Enforcement
Licensing
6 - 41
Others
o Community Land Trust chat with Sean Campbell
o Chat with Mike Morrice
3. Engage 177 Unique survey responses for Phase 3: Issues and Options
Kitchener Survey o A mix of media including: online, digital and paper
o Thanks to collaboration and leadership from our non-profit
community partners such as House of Friendship, YWKW, and
One Roof paper copies of the survey were delivered to people
with lived experience to ensure they were able to participate.
78 Unique survey responses for Phase 4: Draft Housing Strategy
o Online Survey focused on the initial impressions of the Draft
Housing Strategy and what people would like to see improved in
final strategy
4. Focus Groups Kitchener Waterloo Association of Realtors
Downtown Action Advisory Committee (DAAC)
Peoples Action Group (PAG)
Kitchener Housing Inc. Residents (3 locations)
Neighbourhood Associations
Families and Service Providers in the Developmental Services Sector
Mayors Advisory Committee on Kitchener Seniors (MACKS)
5. Other Council Strategic Session on Affordable Housing
Opportunities to Leadership Waterloo
be Connected Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership Working Group (member)
ALIVE Meetings at the Social Development Centre
Urban Development Institute
Canadian Urban Institute’s series on housing (discussions with other
municipalities)
Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation – Do Good Dialogue
(Attending)
Kitchener Market Information Booth
Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation – Do Good Dialogue (Panelist)
Wellbeing Waterloo Region – Everyone Deserves a Place to Call Home
(attended)
House of Friendship – Sweet Beginnings – ShelterCare (attended)
Region of Waterloo Housing and Community Services – Ideation Sessions
Canadian Federation of Women Kitchener-Waterloo – received comments
Phase 3: it is estimated that city staff engaged with 200 people during this phase
Phase 4: it is estimated that city staff engaged with 226 people during this phase
Over the two phases it is estimated that city staff engaged with nearly 500 people including citizens,
members of the advisory committee, city staff and Members of Council
6 - 42