Kitchener — Mayor
2 candidates responded · 0 of 0 section answers were “did not respond”
Manikantan Nair See responses
- 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
- Establish and maintain clear minimum standards (sanitation, safety, outreach)
- Require that enforcement actions be linked to the availability of adequate indoor alternatives
- Encampments should be treated as an interim measure, not a permanent housing solution. The City and Region should combine clear safety and sanitation standards with meaningful outreach and a measurable pathway to permanent or appropriate supportive housing.
- Actively advocate to the province for defined funding triggers and program supports
- Publish ongoing performance metrics (e.g. housing placements, shelter bed access), Accountability must be shared across the City, Region and Province. Residents should be able to clearly see who is responsible, what actions are being taken, how resources are being used, and whether those actions are producing measurable results. Kindly checkout https://www.votefornair.ca/post/working-with-ottawa-and-queen-s-park
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 City & Region Housing and Encampment Response Program that identifies suitable underused City-owned land and existing buildings for conversion or development into deeply affordable and supportive housing. The City and Region should partner with non-profit and community housing providers to move people from encampments into stable housing, while providing outreach, mental-health and addiction supports where needed. At the same time, encampments should have clear standards for sanitation and safety, with enforcement tied to the availability of appropriate indoor alternatives. This approach addresses the immediate need for safe public spaces while building a permanent pathway out of homelessness.
Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on housing?candidate's own words
Kindly Check Out My Housing Priority : https://www.votefornair.ca/post/kitchener-housing-policy-paper-draft
Wazhma Frogh See responses
- 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 expanding transitional and supportive housing with on-site mental health, addiction, and employment supports, while creating clear pathways for people living in encampments to move into permanent housing. Our approach should address immediate safety and dignity while investing in long-term housing solutions rather than repeatedly managing homelessness in public spaces.
Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on housing?candidate's own words
I see housing as both an affordability and community wellbeing issue. We need more housing at different price points, stronger partnerships with non-profit and co-operative housing providers, better use of existing land and buildings, and coordinated action across all levels of government so that people can afford to remain in the communities they call home. Above all, housing is a human right.
On the ballot but have not responded to survey (5)
- David Alton
- Wali Khan
- George Trihenea
- Berry Vrbanovic
- Cindy Ward
Full candidate list: CBC Waterloo Region election coverage ↗