Affordable Housing Strategy

On December 14, 2020 Kitchener City Council approved the Housing for All strategy, a plan to guide the City’s actions and investments to address housing challenges in our community from 2020 through 2025. In collaboration with the Region of Waterloo, not-for-profit housing providers, and the development community, the City will use several tools to help make housing more affordable and accessible to everyone. The strategy outlines seven priorities, including a human rights-based approach to housing, helping to end homelessness, and creating a working group of community members with lived experience of homelessness and housing challenges to advise staff in implementing the strategy. Addressing housing affordability and supporting Kitchener’s growth as a caring community was identified as a top priority when the City consulted residents on its strategic priorities. To learn more, visit www.kitchener.ca/housing.

The City of Kitchener recognizes the importance of strong and diverse neighbourhoods where residents can grow and thrive. As a vibrant and caring community, we’re taking steps to make housing more affordable in our city so Kitchener can be an even better place for everyone to call home. A key action from our Corporate Strategic Plan is to create a caring community through the development of an Affordable Housing Strategy.

In collaboration with the Region of Waterloo, community groups and the development industry, the city is currently in the beginning stages of developing an Affordable Housing Strategy aimed at addressing challenges to housing affordability in Kitchener across the housing continuum. As demand for housing in our city increases, we’re working to find solutions that will encourage a broader range of housing options and increase the supply of affordable housing opportunities available.

Over the next year, an advisory committee made up of city councillors, members of the public community partners, development industry professionals, academics, city staff and regional housing staff, will help inform the strategy. As part of the scope of this project, Kitchener residents will also have the opportunity to provide input through online and in-person consultations to shape decision-making that will have a significant, positive impact on housing in our community.