Regional Council — Kitchener

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

I support a policy that prioritizes outreach and addiction support in a housing-first strategy. I believe a holistic and equitable approach is necessary, as a single large-scale housing project cannot fix the complex social issues driving this crisis. To ensure this strategy succeeds, I would support decisions made in direct partnership with existing community supports to: 1) Address the root causes of homelessness through immediate, specialized outreach. 2) Provide permanent, safe housing that gives individuals immediate stability. 3) Wrap tailored supports around residents, including addiction and mental health services so they can truly thrive and regain independence.

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

I firmly believe that safe housing is a human right, and our policies must reflect that reality. When people lack a stable place to live, it becomes nearly impossible to maintain a job, stay healthy, or keep children succeeding in school. By investing in accessible, affordable housing and protecting renters, we aren't just helping individuals, we are building a stronger, safer, and more economically resilient community for everyone.

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 coordinated approach that expands permanent, deeply affordable and supportive housing while maintaining adequate shelter and outreach capacity. At the same time, we need to see what the courts ultimately rule regarding encampments and ensure our response is consistent with that decision. Practically, that means using publicly owned land where possible, accelerating approvals for supportive and deeply affordable housing, and strengthening outreach, mental health and addiction supports so people have a realistic pathway from encampments to permanent housing. We also need clear expectations around safety, sanitation and access to public spaces. The goal should be neither simply moving people from one location to another nor waiting for a perfect solution. We need to increase housing supply, provide appropriate supports, and make practical decisions based on the legal framework established by the courts

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

Stated above

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

I have already initiated work to examine the creation of a Municipal Housing Corporation that could use publicly owned land and other Regional assets, along with non-profit and private-sector partnerships, to create more affordable rental housing. I want that work to produce a financially responsible model with clear governance, measurable results and the ability to expand into supportive housing. At the same time, I have supported developing a clear encampment response framework before choosing locations. Temporary arrangements should only be considered when no safe and appropriate indoor alternative exists, and they must include standards for sanitation, safety, outreach and connections to housing. I also moved an amendment requiring regular public updates on A Better Tent City, including expenditures, resident assessments, transitions, safety and program performance. We need to know whether people are successfully moving into stable housing and whether public funding is producing results.

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

My approach has been to build permanent housing capacity while bringing greater structure and accountability to temporary responses. Encampments should not become normalized as permanent housing, but clearing a site without providing an appropriate alternative often just moves people, and the problem, to another location. Municipalities need clear responsibilities, the Region must provide coordinated leadership, and the Province must properly fund the mental-health, addiction and supportive services that cannot be sustained through property taxes alone. Success must be measured by how many people obtain stable housing and remain housed, not simply by how many tents are removed.

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.

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

I would suggest a locally supported rehabilitation centre so those that ask for help can get the help they need to break the cycle of homelessness

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

I support multiple approaches to addressing this issue. I will continue to advocate to expand eviction prevention and portable rent supplements to help people stay housed and reduce pressure on emergency shelters and homelessness services.

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

My campaign priorities also include three additional housing-related actions: Commit to Waterloo Region Housing Revitalization and secure funding partnerships to deliver hundreds of new affordable homes over the next four years Use Regionally-owned land and buildings, including sites like the former Charles Street Transit Terminal, to support permanently affordable housing and strong mixed-income communities Expand supportive housing options with access to health, addictions, and social services, while recognizing the need for shelter of last resort