Regional Council — Waterloo
4 candidates responded
Chantal Huinink 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
- 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
- Allow temporary encampments to persist while permanent housing options are actively being developed
- 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 acquiring or repurposing regionally owned land for supportive or deeply affordable housing projects that include outreach and addiction support where needed. I also support expansion of the Portable Rent Subsidy program.
Lindsay Manary See responses
- Prioritize rapid acquisition or conversion of existing buildings
- Increase funding for deeply affordable and supportive housing
- I believe we should be listening to various community partners who have provided options that have worked in various other municipalities and around the world and try to incorporate some of those solutions that have been proven effective elsewhere
- Expand the hours and capacity of extreme-weather shelter protections beyond current levels
- Establish clear regional leadership with coordinated municipal roles
- Assign clear municipal responsibility for public-space management
- 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 a Housing First & Supportive Operations policy that redirects funds from encampment enforcement into long‑term operating support for supportive housing. We know that supportive housing is the most affordable option and it is a solution that works. Living on the street in a tent is not a dignified way to live, spending money on litigation when an affordable option of supportive housing exists and works does not make sense to me. I am specifically thinking of the Working Centre's "Making Home" project right across from the encampment on Victoria Street that sat empty because it had no operating funds available. The Region spent and continues to spend money on litigation. I feel that money would have been better directed to operational funds and would have started to solve the encampment issue.
Rami Said See responses
- Prioritize rapid acquisition or conversion of existing buildings
- Partner with non-profit and supportive housing providers
- Focus primarily on market housing to reduce overall pressure
- Establish and maintain clear minimum standards (sanitation, safety, outreach)
- Require that enforcement actions be linked to the availability of adequate indoor alternatives
- Prioritize clearing encampments to maintain public access to shared spaces
- 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 first focus on funding supportive and deeply affordable housing. Without stability mental health and addiction treatment are far less effective and we all deserve to call somewhere home.
Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on housing?candidate's own words
Housing is a fundamental issue that if we can manage to make major breakthroughs the community benefit will have a massive ROI. In having housing social workers can better work with those in need for mental health and addiction support, as well as, helping with job placements etc. Housing isn’t something you get when you solve the other issues. It’s the first step in working to solve the issue.
Sarvesh Pratap Singh See responses
On the ballot but have not responded to survey (3)
- Jim Erb
- Soo Bok Lee
- Chris Moser
Full candidate list: CBC Waterloo Region election coverage ↗