David Guerin

City/Township Council · Cambridge Ward 7

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

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)
Require that enforcement actions be linked to the availability of adequate indoor alternatives
I believe municipalities need to balance compassion for people experiencing homelessness with the legitimate right of the broader community to safely use parks
sidewalks and other shared public spaces. Encampments should not become a permanent substitute for housing. At the same time
simply clearing people from one location without a realistic indoor alternative often just moves the problem elsewhere. I support clear standards around sanitation
safety and outreach
stronger shelter and supportive housing capacity
and enforcement when appropriate — particularly where public safety or access is being significantly affected. The long-term objective should always be moving people toward safe
stable housing rather than managing encampments indefinitely.

C. Accountability and collaboration between levels of government

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 clear shelter-availability standard: before an encampment is cleared, people should be offered a realistic indoor alternative, with appropriate outreach and supports. At the same time, I would support shifting more long-term funding toward supportive and deeply affordable housing so that shelters do not become permanent destinations. Emergency shelter is necessary, but it should function as a bridge to stable housing, not as the end point. That approach respects the need to keep public spaces safe and accessible while also recognizing that enforcement without somewhere for people to go simply moves the problem from one location to another.

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

I see housing as a continuum. Cambridge needs more market housing, more rental housing, more attainable ownership options, more deeply affordable housing and more supportive housing. Focusing on only one part of that spectrum will not solve the problem. I support making it easier to add appropriate housing through infill, redevelopment and intensification, particularly where infrastructure and services already exist. At the same time, growth needs to be planned alongside transportation, water, wastewater, parks and other community services so that we are not creating problems for future residents and taxpayers. For people experiencing chronic homelessness, increasing the overall housing supply is important but not sufficient. Some people will also need mental health, addiction, income and other supports to remain successfully housed. My goal would be a housing strategy that increases supply, removes unnecessary barriers, makes responsible use of existing infrastructure and recognizes that different people need different housing solutions.