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

Scott Piatkowski

City/Township Council · Waterloo Ward 5

Back to candidates
All topics Housing Getting Around Climate Food Growth & Planning Budget & Taxes
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
  • Prioritize rapid acquisition or conversion of existing buildings
  • Partner with non-profit and supportive housing providers
  • Use publicly owned land for permanent or interim 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
  • Require that enforcement actions be linked to the availability of adequate indoor alternatives
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 support collaborating with a local non-profit on the development of new affordable housing at 250 Lincoln Road (ideally three story townhomes), which was the condition when the property was purchased using funds from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund and the city's Affordable Housing Reserve.

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

I have more than 30 years of direct experience in managing successful area non-profit housing co-ops and currently work for a national NGO that supports the community housing movement. Having a subject matter expert at the table when these issues are discussed would be a benefit to the city.