Victoria Robertson

City/Township Council · Waterloo Ward 3

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
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
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 am in favour of the proposed places of worship re-zoning by-law amendment, as I think it’s an excellent way to use land already within our city, designated for community support already, towards better housing. I would fight hard to make sure that most of all of that housing is affordable or explicitly supportive housing.

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

One of my main concerns with current housing practices, particularly, in this ward, is that the city has been incentivising and allowing the building of mostly 1-2 bedroom apartment buildings, which are unaffordable and inaccessible. A main priority for me would be to push towards building apartments and townhouses which have 3 or 4 bedrooms, to support families; and to be intentional about building accessible housing for seniors to downsize in the neighbourhoods they’ve lived their whole lives. These need to have sufficient affordable units to be viable and actually support people in their neighbourhoods.