Kevin White

Regional Council · Region of Waterloo

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

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

Use publicly owned land for permanent or interim housing
Increase funding for deeply affordable and supportive housing
There really needs to be more serious consideration for non-market housing options and the maintenance of affordable housing units in perpetuity.

B. Interim management of encampments

Establish and maintain clear minimum standards (sanitation, safety, outreach)
Allow temporary encampments to persist while permanent housing options are actively being developed
I think when we talk about having clear minimum standards, we need to be in relationship with communities at encampments. I think sanitation, safety, and outreach (supportive relationships) are all desirable for residents in encampments, and there needs to be real engagement about what that means to each individual. What housing will actually meet their needs?

C. Accountability and collaboration between levels of government

Establish clear regional leadership with coordinated municipal roles
Publish ongoing performance metrics (e.g. housing placements, shelter bed access), Quite frankly, the level of neglect from the federal and provincial government as it relates to housing is rather astounding. There needs to be much greater consideration, especially from the province, for providing ongoing operational funding especially for supportive housing and wraparound services.

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

I think more fully engaging with the Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, which was adopted by the Region in April 2024, would go a long way, particularly with the incorporation of lived expertise leadership throughout our community-led solutions. I think there are a lot of opportunities and suggestions in that document that the Region can more fulsomely explore.

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

I think there are numerous options that can be brought forward from community to the Region and other levels of government, too. The biggest obstacle that seems to keep coming up, though, is that housing is used as an investment, and we really need to find a way to de-commodify housing to reduce pressure on a populace whose wages are not keeping up at all with the cost of living.