Loading...
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. 6 - 1 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 6 - 2 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 2 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 1 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) 6 - 3 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. 6 - 4 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. 6 - 5 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. 6 - 6 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. 6 - 7 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 6 - 8 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. 6 - 9 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 6 - 10 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 6 - 11 ndix A: Housing for All – Recommended Housing Strategy Appe 6 - 12 caring community. a blueprint for a more December 2020 Housing For All 6 - 13 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 6 - 14 3 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. 6 - 15 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 6 - 16 5 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 6 - 17 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 6 - 18 7 . n o i t u l o s a o t y a w r u o k a e w t t ’ ngage Kitchener n includes the important priorities Survey Respondent August 2020 a c e E W Align Policies, Processes and Use of Advocacy “ ” . For All e u s s “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 6 - 19 * 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 6 - 20 9 dvocacy A Contents 6 - 21 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 10 6 - 22 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. 6 - 23 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. 12 6 - 24 13 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