Colleen James
Regional Council · Region of Waterloo
Back to candidatesHousing & Homelessness
- 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
- Establish and maintain clear minimum standards (sanitation, safety, outreach)
- Expand the hours and capacity of extreme-weather shelter protections beyond current levels
- Require that enforcement actions be linked to the availability of adequate indoor alternatives
- Establish clear regional leadership with coordinated municipal roles
- Actively advocate to the province for defined funding triggers and program supports
- Publish ongoing performance metrics (e.g. housing placements, shelter bed access)
Please describe one concrete policy, program, or decision you would support to address both encampments and permanent housing.candidate's own words
I would support a coordinated approach that expands permanent, deeply affordable and supportive housing while maintaining adequate shelter and outreach capacity. At the same time, we need to see what the courts ultimately rule regarding encampments and ensure our response is consistent with that decision. Practically, that means using publicly owned land where possible, accelerating approvals for supportive and deeply affordable housing, and strengthening outreach, mental health and addiction supports so people have a realistic pathway from encampments to permanent housing. We also need clear expectations around safety, sanitation and access to public spaces. The goal should be neither simply moving people from one location to another nor waiting for a perfect solution. We need to increase housing supply, provide appropriate supports, and make practical decisions based on the legal framework established by the courts
Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on housing?candidate's own words
Stated above