Bryan Causarano-Bolton

Regional Council · Region of Waterloo

All topics Housing Getting Around Climate Food Growth & Planning Budget & Taxes Water

This candidate finalized their responses after this guide and scoring methodology was published.

Housing & Homelessness

How should municipalities and the Region balance providing permanent housing with the management of encampments in public spaces?select up to 3 per part

A. Pathways to permanent housing

Partner with non-profit and supportive housing providers
Use publicly owned land for permanent or interim housing
Increase funding for deeply affordable and supportive housing

B. Interim management of encampments

Establish and maintain clear minimum standards (sanitation, safety, outreach)
Expand the hours and capacity of extreme-weather shelter protections beyond current levels
Allow temporary encampments to persist while permanent housing options are actively being developed

C. Accountability and collaboration between levels of government

Establish clear regional leadership with coordinated municipal roles
Assign clear municipal responsibility for public-space management
Actively advocate to the province for defined funding triggers and program supports

Please describe one concrete policy, program, or decision you would support to address both encampments and permanent housing.candidate's own words

In accordance with Justice Gibson's ruling on 100 Victoria, I would advocate for establishing a safe tenting protocol. A Safe Tenting Protocol is a reasonable and practical policy tool that can be used by municipalities to balance competing needs of shared public spaces, while we implement supportive, transitional, and deeply affordable housing throughout the region.

Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on housing?candidate's own words

The region is growing, which means we need more housing. A balance of multi-family dwellings in both rental and ownership options is important, and so it supportive and cooperative housing. We need these options to be around existing services and transit routes. An approach to housing that considers all income-levels is an important part of protecting people from experiencing homelessness, while we address the current crisis with homelessness through shelters, transitional housing, and deeply affordable housing options.