We are a team of local volunteer organizers working in partnership with the Social Development Centre and Ray of Hope to host a community dialogue on homelessness and affordable housing policy in Waterloo Region.

While housing is considered a human right, the number of people experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region has more than doubled since Jan 2020 and is on track to triple by 2028. According to a mid-project report by The Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in Waterloo Region, “This surge is the result of intersecting factors like increased inflow of individuals into homelessness, lack of outflow to affordable housing options, and system challenges such as funding, staffing burnout, policies and frameworks. … A radical reform of governance and service is needed—maintaining the status quo is not an option for ending chronic homelessness.”

We know that a rise in homelessness has been seen across the country in recent years, and that solutions require engagement from all levels of government – regional, provincial, and federal, as well as those with “boots on the ground” and the perspectives of those with lived experience.

The purpose of this event is to bring together a diverse range of stakeholders – including local organizations, developers, individuals with lived expertise, political representatives, and members of the public – in order to:

Learn from one another – Build a shared understanding of the issues through dialogue with other stakeholders
Look for opportunities – Engage with the question: What can we do together to put an end to homelessness in Waterloo Region?

Whether you have deep experience in this space, or are a concerned community member, we invite you to participate in this important community dialogue. MPs Mike Morrice and Tim Louis, and MPPs Aislinn Clancy and Catherine Fife look forward to joining the conversation.

Will you join the conversation too?

This event is free and open to the public.