HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2025-103 - Housing for All UpdateStaff Report
Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee
DATE OF MEETING: March 17, 2025
SUBMITTED BY: Rosa Bustamante, Director, Planning and Housing Policy/City
Planner, 519-783-8929
PREPARED BY: Lucas Van Meer -Mass, Senior Planner (Housing), 519-783-8949
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Wards
DATE OF REPORT: March 7, 2025
REPORT NO.: DSD -2025-103
SUBJECT: Housing for All Update
RECOMMENDATION:
For Information.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
• The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the status of Housing for All
(2020) actions and highlight the ways that Kitchener has established itself as
Ontario's leader in innovative and advanced housing policy and planning.
• All 44 Housing for All actions have been completed or substantially progressed.
• Staff continue to work on implementing the Housing for All action items, alongside
Housing Accelerator Fund initiatives, and preparing a new Official Plan, which will
focus on, among other things, housing supply, choice, and affordability.
• This report supports building a Connected City Together: Focuses on
neighbourhoods; housing and ensuring secure, affordable homes; getting around
easily, sustainably and safely to the places and spaces that matter.
BACKGROUND:
In 2020, very few area municipalities in Ontario had housing strategies. Kitchener was
forward -thinking in its ambition to establish an housing strategy and set out a list of
priorities and action items to create meaningful change in areas related to housing.
As an area municipality, Kitchener has found creative ways to support and contribute to
the provision of housing and it has seized as many opportunities as possible to provide
solutions to the housing affordability crisis. Kitchener intentionally prioritized housing
with its first housing strategy, Housing for All (HFA) which was approved by Council in
2020. HFA is Kitchener's comprehensive strategy to realize the right to housing and
help make housing affordable using the tools and resources available to a local
municipality. It is also Kitchener's commitment to addressing matters related to housing
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
Page 22 of 187
supply, affordability, and inequity. HFA contains seven key priority areas and 44 actions,
all of which have either been accomplished or significantly advanced in the intervening
years (See Attachment A for the status of all 44 actions).
Through HFA, City staff have supported the development of numerous supportive
housing projects, launched an innovative collaboration with people who have the lived
experience of homelessness through the Lived Expertise Working Group, and
completed significant policy and by-law amendments that support existing and new
affordable housing, including development fee waivers for affordable housing, a Rental
Replacement By -Law, and as -of -right permissions for lodging homes across the city.
Alongside HFA, the City has undertaken a complementary series of initiatives targeted
at private market housing development. Achieved in part under the CMHC's Housing
Accelerator Fund program, these include the six -time award-winning planning
framework for Kitchener's Major Transit Station Areas (Growing Together); an
Inclusionary Zoning framework; and city-wide permissions for 4 units as of right.
Municipal Housing Pledge
Eviction &
Missing Middle and
Displacement
Affordable Housing Study
Webpage & Online
Update
Reporting Update
Laved Expertise Working
Rental Replacement
Group Year 2 Work Plan
By-law Directions
Development
Report.
Lower Doon Land Use
Study Implementation
Official Plan Review Launch
Growing Together
Implementation
Inciusionary Zoning
Implementation
Enabling Four Units
Lodging House Official Plan
and Zoning Amendment
Decision
Rental Replacement. Ry -law
Implementation
Lived Expertise Working
Group Next Steps
Growing Together East
Project Launch
Not For Profit Affordable
Rental and Co-op Housing
Incentive (Pilot) Guide to
Additional
Dwelling Units
Growing Together East
implementation
First Draft New Official
Plan
Housing Needs
Assessment
Shared Accommodations
Licensing 6y -law
These efforts have been bolstered by Provincial policies and incentives aimed at
increasing housing supply, such as the Building Faster Fund and the Municipal Housing
Pledge. Federal programs like the Rapid Housing Initiative and the Housing Accelerator
Fund have further supported these efforts by prioritizing the growth of affordable and
supportive housing.
REPORT:
Since the approval of HFA in December 2020, Kitchener has redefined what is possible
for area municipalities in housing policy. With Council's leadership and staff's
determined commitment, all 44 of the actions in HFA have been advanced. This report
Page 23 of 187
summarizes what has been achieved under HFA and related housing work and
recognizes the City's accomplishments, setting the stage for the next phase of the City's
work.
Building a Strong Housing Policy Framework
• Crafted an effective balance between the promotion of high-quality development
(through initiatives such as Growing Together), efficient approvals processes, and
measures designed to protect and promote affordability (such as the Rental
Replacement By -Law and Inclusionary Zoning).
• Established a transformative, bold and balanced planning framework for transit -
oriented development through Growing Together in Kitchener's major transit station
areas (MTSAs).
• Implemented city-wide permissions for four residential units as of right, significantly
expanding housing options.
• Developed an Inclusionary Zoning framework that will require affordable homes
within Kitchener's protected major transit station areas.
• Enacted a Rental Replacement By-law to protect tenants and preserve affordable
housing stock.
• Established as -of -right permissions for lodging homes across the city where other
residential uses are allowed.
Advancing Equity and Lived Expertise
• Established and extended the Lived Expertise Working Group (LEWG) pilot,
ensuring that individuals with first-hand experience of housing precarity and
homelessness have an opportunity to share their insights into housing policy
development and decision-making.
• Developed an online resource of information for tenants that is hosted on the City's
website and an online eviction survey in collaboration with LEWG to collect data and
inform housing policy.
• The LEWG informed the development and implementation of Kitchener's Rental
Replacement By-law.
• Members of the LEWG shared stories about their experiences through a photo
exhibition, storytelling theater, and a LEWG video that highlighted the importance of
lived expertise in housing decisions.
Expanding Affordable and Supportive Housing
Facilitated the creation of over 184 supportive homes in Kitchener with an additional
84 in development.
Partnered with non -profits and developers to maximize the use of City -owned land
for affordable housing, including three upcoming projects.
Supported projects such as YWKW Block Line (41 supportive housing units and 10
affordable housing units), Indwell St. Mark's redevelopment, and Habitat for
Humanity initiatives.
Page 24 of 187
Enhancing Development Approvals and Incentives
• Created an affordable housing concierge service to streamline approvals for non-
profit and affordable housing developments.
• Waived development fees for non -profits and introduced a Not-for-profit affordable
rental and co-op housing incentive grant that will distribute $5.2 million in seed
funding grants for non -market housing development.
The Housing Accelerator Fund and Kitchener 2051
In 2024, Kitchener further intensified its efforts to advance housing -related initiatives
and ensure that Kitchener continues to be a leader in addressing housing challenges for
all residents. City staff have leveraged the funding opportunities resulting from the
Housing Accelerator Fund program, which is set to distribute an estimated $2.9 million
in 2025 and $42.4 million over the course of the program's 4 -year lifespan.
Highlights of Kitchener's Housing Accelerator Fund program include:
• Enabling city-wide permissions for four residential units as of right with a how-to
guide and public campaign to support the uptake and adoption of additional units.
• Leveraging funding to acquire strategic parcels of land to land bank for future
affordable housing opportunities.
• Partnerships with Kitchener Housing Inc. and Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region
to develop approximately 105 units of affordable housing on City -owned land.
• The launch of the Not-for-profit Affordable Rental and Co-op Housing Incentive,
which is set to distribute $5.2 million over the course of the program's lifespan.
• The successful passage of the Growing Together West planning framework and
Inclusionary Zoning framework and considerable progress on Growing Together
East.
City Staff are also advancing work on a Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) in support
of the development of the Kitchener 2051 Official Plan. Early findings of the HNA
confirm that, despite the City's many successes, persistent and emerging challenges
related to housing equity remain in Kitchener. The early findings highlight that access to
housing in Kitchener is shaped not only by supply constraints but also by systemic
inequities, affordability gaps, and barriers faced by priority populations for housing
need—including seniors, racialized communities, Indigenous peoples, persons with
disabilities, and low-income renters. The assessment further emphasizes that housing
affordability must be considered in the broader context of community well-being,
infrastructure planning, and economic resilience.
Housing for All 2.0
To ensure that the new Official Plan being developed through Kitchener 2051 is
informed by the current state of the housing landscape (e.g., housing policy at other
orders of government), and given that 2025 marks 5 years since the approval of
Page 25 of 187
Kitchener's first housing strategy, staff are proposing to commence work on Housing for
All 2.0 which will build on the successes of HFA. It will be a focused update to
complement and integrate with existing work occurring through the Kitchener 2051
including the Housing Needs Assessment.
Housing for All 2.0 is intended to provide a better understanding of available policy tools
within the Ontario legal framework, build and strengthen relationships with community
collaborators, and identify any additional opportunities to support the construction of
affordable housing led by non -profits and community groups. Over the next year, staff will
conduct a detailed assessment of the local housing landscape (including housing
providers and available funding streams). This work will, where appropriate, inform
recommendations for Kitchener's new Official Plan and ensure that the City's housing
policies remain effective, forward -thinking, and responsive to community needs
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports Building a Connected City Together: Focuses on
neighbourhoods; housing and ensuring secure, affordable homes; getting around
easily, sustainably and safely to the places and spaces that matter.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Capital Budget — The recommendation has no impact on the Capital Budget.
Operating Budget — The recommendation has no impact on the Operating Budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance
of the Council / Committee meeting. Additionally, the HFA actions status was shared with
Kitchener's Lived Expertise Working Group in March.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
COR -2022-104 - Housing for All Program Update — 2022 Year in Review
DSD -2024-277 -Housing for All Strategy Lived Expertise Working Group Next Steps
DSD -20-214 — Housing for All — City of Kitchener Housing Strategy
DSD -20-108 — Draft Housing Strategy
DSD -20-034 — Council Strategy Session — Affordable Housing Issues and Options
DSD -20-006 — Affordable HousingStrategy Phase 2: Housing Needs Assessment
DSD -19-135 —Affordable Housing Strategy —Work Program Overview
REVIEWED BY: Natalie Goss, Manager, Policy & Research
APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services
Page 26 of 187
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A — Housing for All Actions Status
Page 27 of 187
Attachment A — Housin_q for All Actions Status
Page 28 of 187
Action I Status I Description
Priority 1: Human Rights Based approach to housing
1
Address Nimbyism
Substantially
Over the past several years, City staff have been
complete/
working with community members on several
ONGOING
community working groups related to the DTK Vision,
and Kitchener 2051 (Official Plan update) to
collaborate and co -write visions and policies to guide
future direction of the city as it grows. In addition to
the community working groups, staff have been
conducting outreach to equity denied groups through
land use planning initiatives including Kitchener 2051
and Growing Together.
A series of information tools (videos, planning 101)
were completed, promoted on social media and made
available online.
2
Develop and promote
Substantially
Since 2022 the City's Lived Expertise Working Group
fact -based research
complete/
(LEWG) has been working collaboratively with staff
ONGOING
on developing and sourcing fact -based research. The
LEWG was instrumental in co -developing an online
eviction survey that is currently housed on the City's
website which provides the City with more information
regarding evictions in the city.
3
Ensure that the right to
ONGOING
Through the Kitchener 2051 Climate and Energy
housing informs and is
Study, greenhouse gas mitigation modelling will be
responsive to climate
undertaken to assess growth scenarios that allocate
change
growth and development across the City, including
projected housing growth, out to the year 2051 in
keeping with the City's population and employment
forecasts. The modelling work will quantify the
impacts of each distinct growth scenario against key
climate performance indicators, including greenhouse
gas emissions, energy consumption by fuel type,
energy expenditures, air pollution, and the social cost
of carbon.
4
Provide sufficient
ACHIEVED
A permanent Senior Planner for Housing has been
resources to realize
hired. The Planning and Housing Policy's Project
the right to housing
Management section also supports affordable
housing projects through the delivery of the City's
affordable housing incentives for not-for-profit
developers including a fee waiver program for rental
projects and grant funding for rental and co-op
housing to offset up -front costs that advance projects
to building permit. Additionally, this section provides
concierge service to navigate projects through
development approvals to mitigate delays and
support project timelines.
5
Collaborate with the
ACHIEVED
The Shift worked in collaboration with the City of
Shift on a 2 -year pilot
Kitchener throughout 2021 on a framework for
project to localize
establishing housing as a human right.
implementation of
housing as a human
right
Page 28 of 187
Page 29 of 187
Priority 2: Commitment to Lived Experience Collaboration
.6
Recognize and treat
ACHIEVED
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
7
Ensure knowledge of
ACHIEVED
rights and provide
access to relevant
information and
sufficient time to
consult
8
Ensure meaningful
ACHIEVED
participation in the
Established in 2022 as a two-year pilot through
design,
collaboration with the Social Development Centre, the
implementation and
City established the Lived Expertise Working Group
monitoring of housing
(LEWG) to ensure that housing policies and decisions
policies & decisions
are directly informed by those with lived experience.
Recognizing its value in shaping more inclusive and
9
Work with community
ACHIEVED
organizations, like the
responsive housing solutions Council extended the
Social Development
pilot for an additional two years in June 2024.
Centre to proactively
identify and eliminate
socio-economic
barriers to participation
10
Create and implement
ACHIEVED
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
Priority 3: Help End Homelessness
11
Set Targets: Facilitate
TARGET
The Region's Building Better Futures dashboard
the creation of 450
ACHIEVED/
indicates that there have been 452 new supportive
units of new
ONGOING
homes added and occupied across the Region.
supportive housing.
Additionally, there are 142 new supportive homes
This includes
underdevelopment. In Kitchener, there have been
approximately:
188 supportive homes completed with an additional
• 60 housing
84 in progress.
units for youth
• 70 housing
units for
women
• 170 housing
units for men
Page 29 of 187
Page 30 of 187
50 housing
units for
people with
acute
concurrent
mental health
and addiction
challenges
• 100 units for
people with
cognitive
challenges
12
Provide leadership in
ACHIEVED
The YWKW supportive housing project at Block Line
providing 2 city sites to
on city -owned land includes 41 units of supportive
match 2 regional sites
housing that are currently occupied.
in Kitchener for
A Request for Proposals for a City -owned property on
supportive housing
Wellington Street has been issued for
supportive/affordable housing.
13
Advocate for the
ONGOING
The City continues to work with the Region and local
Region and local
municipalities on housing initiatives and coordination.
municipalities to
provide sites for
diverse types of
supportive housing
across the region and
for appropriate
supports from Ontario
Health Teams
14
Advocate for
ACHIEVED
ShelterCare has found a new home in the City of
ShelterCare to gain a
Waterloo and has successfully received $8.5M from
permanent home
the Provincial Government.
15
Work with the Region
ACHIEVED
All projects listed here have been completed with
and operators to
varying levels of support from the City.
facilitate development
of:
• OneROOF
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
Page 30 of 187
Page 31 of 187
resident's
need
• Indwell
redevelopment
of St. Marks
Church for
supportive
housing
• Housing for
people in
encampments,
in shelters and
leaving
homelessness
16
Advocate for the
ONGOING
This will be an iterative process with no definitive end.
Region to address
City staff have been part of a pan -Regional working
encampments
group focused on updating encampment protocols.
incorporating a human
Additionally, City staff are part of The Region's Plan
rights -based approach
to End Chronic homelessness Co -Creator's group.
17
Support the Region
ONGOING
Through engagement with the Regional Plan to End
and Service Providers
Chronic Homelessness, continued work with LEWG,
to improve and
and the forthcoming Housing Needs Assessment, the
enhance the quality of
City has remained engaged in understanding the
people centered
different types of supportive housing required by local
information and
residents.
Coordinated Access
System to gain further
insight into the diverse
types of supportive
housing needed
Priority 4: Help secure community, affordable rental and affordable ownership housing
18
Facilitate development
ONGOING
Through the support of non-profit affordable housing
of Kitchner's share of
development and a planning framework that allows
options for households
for the development of all forms of housing, the City
on the community
has supported the creation of a wide range of housing
housing waiting list
options. Through the Housing Needs Assessment
and resulting Official Plan, the City will continue to
emphasize housing options across the housing
spectrum.
19
Identify city lands
ACHIEVED
Beginning with the YWKW Block Line development,
suitable for others to
the City has continued to engage with non -profits to
develop for affordable
develop and support affordable housing on City -
housing and seek to
owned lands, most recently with three forthcoming
incorporate community
projects on City lands.
housing, below market
Staff have reviewed city owned lands that are suitable
rental and below
for housing.
market ownership
units
20
Pilot 2 city sites
ACHIEVED
The City has supported the development of affordable
involving community
housing on City -owned property through the donation
housing in proximity to
of property to Habitat for Humanity KW Region
transit/major transit
(River/Ottawa) and the YWCA Block Line
station areas
development.
Page 31 of 187
21
Help connect
ACHIEVED /
The City continues to dialogue with the non-profit
Kitchener's
ONGOING
housing sector and private developers on
experienced non-profit
collaboration opportunities.
housing sector with
developers, through
partnerships and
creative solutions, to
make the needed
substantive and long-
lasting changes to
help make housing
more affordable
Priority 5: Advocacy
22
Jointly develop a
ONGOING
City staff are part of The Region's Plan to End
Region/City Charter to
Chronic homelessness Co -Creator's group which
ensure collaboration
provides an ongoing opportunity for continued
and opportunities to
collaboration.
identify and address
housing challenges in
Kitchener
23
Request the Region of
ONGOING
The City was a recipient of the Housing Accelerator
Waterloo, in
Fund program through CMHC which contains multiple
collaboration with local
projects related to affordable housing. City Staff are
municipalities, non-
also currently working with the Region on the
profit housing, support,
implementation and monitoring of the Plan to End
and philanthropic
Chronic Homelessness.
organizations and the
private sectors, to
develop a funding
strategy to end
homelessness through
a reimagined shelter,
supportive and
community housing
plan.
24
Jointly advocate for
ACHIEVED /
The City has supported the following:
Provincial and Federal
ONGOING
House of Friendship has received funding and a
funding for housing for
permanent location in the City of Waterloo for
community building,
ShelterCare. Staff continue to work with the
sustainability and
House of Friendship on other transitional and
economic recovery,
supportive housing projects.
including:
• the YWKW in the Block Line project is complete
• House of
and occupied
Friendship
• the Working Centre in the Water Street
seeking 2 sites
development is in progress
and funding for
The City continues to explore opportunities for
the ShelterCare
Kitchener Housing Inc. to create new community
integrated health
housing
and transitional
OneROOF has developed supportive housing
housing concept
units on their Sheldon site
(80 units) and for
A Better Tent City was successfully relocated
supportive
Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region has
housing project
secured a city property for affordable housing
(60 units)
development.
Page 32 of 187
Page 33 of 187
• YWCA -KW
• The Indwell St. Mark's redevelopment is
seeking a site
occupied. Additionally, the city continues to work
and funding for
with Indwell on more projects
approximately 50
• The City assisted Menno homes in securing
one -bedroom
funding for a development on Lancaster Street
units of affordable
0 KW Habilitation was one of the first recipients of
supportive
Kitchener's Not-for-profit affordable rental and
housing for
co-op housing incentive pilot. Through this grant
women
program, KW Habilitation is proceeding with a
• The Working
new development.
Centre to acquire
0 Reception House was also successful in its
and renovate a
construction of a new Refugee Services Hub.
second site
• Thresholds Homes and Supports has completed
(Water Street 2.0)
2 supportive housing projects and are currently
and add 40 units
working on a 3rd.
of housing to their
KW Urban Wigwam project was successful in
portfolio
developing an affordable housing site. Other
• Kitchener
aspects of this proposal remain ongoing.
Housing Inc (KHI)
. The City is assessing the use of institutional sites
seeking a site
for residential uses through its ongoing work on
and working in
Kitchener 2051.
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
Page 33 of 187
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
Page 34 of 187
Page 35 of 187
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.
25
Request the Region to
ACHIEVED /
The City continues to support the Region's Plan to
revise its Housing and
ONGOING
End Chronic Homelessness and actively collaborate
Homelessness Plan to
with multiple non-profit organizations in support of
further incorporate
affordable housing. Additionally, the City is currently
local municipal input
updating its Housing Needs Assessment.
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.
26
Request (through
ACHIEVED /
Since 2020, Council has passed the following
AMO) that the
ONGOING
advocacy motions:
Government of Ontario
On October 5, 2020, Council requested that the
develop and adopt a
Province reinstate the Planning Act provisions
provincial housing
enabling a municipality to apply Inclusionary
strategy including
Zoning provisions within its entire jurisdiction, or
measurable targets
at minimum, enable Inclusionary Zoning along
and sufficient funds for
Major Transit bus routes throughout the City,
ending homelessness
rather than only in Major Transit Station Areas
and ensuring access
(MTSAs). In March 2024, Council approved an
of all Ontarians,
inclusionary zoning framework for Kitchener
including those of
within its MTSAs as is currently permitted under
limited income, to
Provincial law.
housing of an
On October 18, 2021, Council passed a
adequate standard
resolution to take additional and meaningful
without discrimination.
steps to address the ever-increasing problem of
It should also take into
"Renovictions" and that the motion be sent to the
consideration the
Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the
needs of Indigenous
Premier of Ontario, the Ministry of Municipal
people, LGBTQ
Affairs and housing, the Region of Waterloo and
Page 35 of 187
Page 36 of 187
people, people with
other Municipalities in Ontario for their
disabilities including
consideration and possible endorsement.
mental illness, women
On September 25, 2023, Council called on the
experiencing domestic
Provincial Government to double current social
violence, Ione parents,
assistance rates for ODSP and OW recipients to
immigrants and
reflect the cost of living and to tie these new
newcomers and other
rates to inflation so that people can afford to live
people living in poverty
a dignified life in the Province of Ontario.
or with low incomes.
On September 25, 2023, Council called on the
Provincial Government to support Feed
Canada's recommendation to stop the
clawbacks meaning OW and ODSP will allow
recipients their first $1000 earned without
penalty and to exempt benefits such as CPP,
WSIB, EI and the upcoming CDB from
clawbacks as well.
• On January 30, 2023, Council directed staff to
provide recommendations on how the City can
support the transitioning of displaced residents
including the review of rental replacement by-
laws in Ontario. In June 2024 Council approved
a Rental Replacement By-law for the City.
• On October 16, 2023, Council directed staff to
propose a zoning by-law amendment that would
permit "as -of -right" permissions for up to four
(4) residential units on a property wherever
zoning permits single detached, semi-detached
or street townhouse dwelling units on sufficient
lot sizes and report back to Council in Q1 2024.
In March 2024 Council approved Official Plan
and Zoning By-law amendments to enable 4
residential units are across the City.
• On August 26, 2024, Council resolved that the
Province amend the Residential Tenancies Act
on matters related to vacancy control and rent
control and strengthening process requirements
for evictions
27
Report to Council on
ACHIEVED
• The City has passed Inclusionary Zoning policies
the feasibility and
and by-laws and in the process of determining
implications of the
their implementation date.
following potential
• A Lodging House Review was completed, and
policies:
zoning and Official Plan changes are now in
• Inclusionary
place permitting lodging homes city-wide.
Housing Policy
0 Parkland dedication no longer required for
and implementing
affordable housing development in accordance
Zoning Bylaw
with Provincial legislation
(Underway)
• The City passed a Rental Replacement By -Law
• Lodging House
providing compensation to displaced tenants and
Policy and
preserving the stock of affordable housing.
implementing
• A new Community Improvement Plan focused on
Zoning Bylaw
housing provision is Currently being explored.
(Underway)
• Parking Waiver
Policy and
implementing
Zoning Bylaw for
Page 36 of 187
Page 37 of 187
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
28
Continue improving
ACHIEVED /
The City has made tremendous strides in
the development
ONGOING
streamlining its development approvals process. This
approvals process with
work is ongoing and iterative. Additionally, 2 project
input from the
manager positions have been created whose
development industry
mandate is to provide a concierge service for
and the community
development applications that contain affordable
housing.
29
Consider fast tracking
ACHIEVED
The City now provides a concierge service for non -
non -profit and
profit and affordable housing development proposals
affordable housing
that assists proponents through the development
developments through
process.
city processes
30
Continue the fee
ACHIEVED
The fee waiver remains in effect.
waiver policy for non-
profit organizations
and consider
expanding its
application to
affordable housing
units provided in
private sector
development
applications
Page 37 of 187
31
Consider
ACHIEVED
A reserve fund was established, funding projects
establishment of an
such as the affordable housing grant program, which
Affordable Housing
has provided $2.6 million towards non-profit grants.
Reserve Fund to
support affordable
housing initiatives
32
Develop a strategy for
ACHIEVED
A land acquisition and disposition strategy has been
the use of city lands
developed and is part of Kitchener's Housing
for affordable housing
Accelerator Fund initiatives.
and play a leadership
role in advancing
innovative mixed
housing communities,
as a model for other
Canadian communities
to replicate.
33
Assess the feasibility
ONGOING
The City continues to explore opportunities for
of including affordable
incorporating affordable housing on city owned sites,
housing in the
including community centers.
development of new or
redeveloped City
facilities, e.g.
community centres.
34
Request the Region to
ACHIEVED
The boundaries of Kitchener's protected major transit
prioritize collaborative
station areas were delineated through the Region's
determination and
Official Plan - Regional Official Plan amendment 6.
designation of Major
These same boundaries were established in
Transit Station Areas
Kitchener's Official Plan through Growing Together
in the Regional Official
including land uses for 7 of the PMTSAs.
Plan
35
Request the Region
ACHIEVED
Provincial legislation requires the collection of
and School Boards to
education development charges for all housing
consider reviewing
development. Further, due to changes in Provincial
with the City the
legislation, development charges are not collected by
feasibility and
the Region for affordable housing developments.
implications of
reducing the Regional
and School Board
shares of
Development Charges
for affordable housing
development
36
Request Region to
ACHIEVED
Due to changes in Provincial legislation, development
consider feasibility and
charges are not collected for affordable housing
implications of funding
developments.
for growth related
(future) affordable
housing developments
in creating
development charge
policies
37
Provide regular
ACHIEVED /
A housing needs assessment is in progress through
updates to Council,
ONGOING
Kitchener 2051.
the public and staff on
housing needs
assessments
Page 38 of 187
38
Provide regular public
ACHIEVED
A progress report on Housing for All was provided in
reports on the success
March 2022. Additionally, quarterly reports are
and challenges in
provided through the planning divisions on all
implementing Housing
planning initiatives, including Housing for All,
for All
development applications, affordable housing
applications/initiatives, and the Housing Accelerator
Fund initiatives.
39
Undertake additional
ONGOING
The City has placed considerable emphasis on the
work to assess
development of a Housing Needs Assessment that
housing needs for:
examines housing need through the lens of different
• Indigenous people
identities. This work has commenced as part of
• LBGTQ+
Kitchener 2051.
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
40
Track and monitor
ACHIEVED
Rental Replacement By-law now provides the City
renovictions, where
with a legal mechanism to require tenant
tenants are displaced
compensation where existing occupied residential
from their homes
rental units are demolished. Additionally, the City, in
collaboration with the LEWG developed an online
eviction survey where residents can self report their
experiences with eviction.
41
Use City's Social
ACHIEVED
Kitchener continues to use its social media platforms
Media Platforms to
and EngageKitchener platform to share information
engage and inform the
with and have conversations with the community
public on addressing
about housing matters. Specifically, conversations
housing issues in the
about housing occurred through Growing Together
city.
and are occurring through Kitchener 2051.
Page 39 of 187
42
Develop an annual
ACHIEVED
Staff provided regular updates to Council on the
work plan to
progress of Housing for All and continues to inform
implement Housing for
Council about progress on other housing related
All including timing
initiatives such as the Housing Accelerator Fund on a
and responsibilities, to
quarterly basis.
be used to inform
annual budgets
43
Recommend an
ACHIEVED
An operating budget has been established for the
annual operating
implementation of Housing for All and housing related
amount to support
initiatives. Additionally, a Senior Planner for Housing
housing initiatives
position was created to support housing initiatives.
44
Provide staffing to
ACHIEVED
A full time permanent Senior Planner (Housing)
support
position was created in 2024.
implementation of the
Affordable Housing
Strategy
Page 40 of 187