Homes are the foundation to a safe and secure life. The Region is prioritizing affordable homes to support a community where everyone has a place to call home and has access to other community services allowing people to settle, work, and belong.
The Region’s affordable housing plan, Building Better Futures, continues to meet and exceed milestones since the initiative began in 2021. In 2023, we now have a total of 2,350 new affordable homes either occupied or in development. This represents an increase of ten times the amount of affordable homes developed compared to previous years (500 homes per year versus 50).
Building Better Futures Overview
2000
2,350 total new homes
1,043
1,043 new homes in development, of which
195
195 are supportive homes
1,307
1,307 new homes occupied, of which
301
301 are supportive homes
Click through to view the projects
825 King Street, Indwell project with St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
This Indwell project with St. Mark’s Lutheran Church created 43 new affordable supportive homes in our community. Keeping the existing exterior, including the stained glass windows, maintains the look of the building while ushering it into a new era. These new supportive homes were occupied at the end of 2023.
Supportive homes are an important part of the affordable housing landscape, providing supports and services to folks who need them to remain housed. Building Better Futures has added 301 new supportive homes, and 195 more are currently in development.
Two additional churches in downtown Kitchener announced redevelopment of their sites for affordable housing in 2023. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and their non-profit partner, Indwell, will convert unused space in their facility to 41 affordable housing units with expected occupancy in 2024. Historic Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church started construction on 36 one-bedroom units targeted to low-income seniors who are in need of affordable housing.
33 Front St., St. Jacobs, Sprucelawn Apartments
With the need for affordable housing growing in the community, Building Better Futures projects span across the region. Sprucelawn Apartments is an affordable housing build in St. Jacob’s, Woolwich Township, and is designed for older adults aged 60 plus.
28 new homes that are now occupied.
1
Sprucelawn added
420 Kingscourt Drive, Waterloo Region Housing
A new building is being constructed on the same site as an existing Waterloo Region Housing building at 416 Kingscourt Drive. This will add 73 new homes, ranging from one to five bedrooms. The project will also include three new amenity spaces, which will be available to residents in both 416 and 420 Kingscourt Drive. The project is expected to be completed in February 2025.
K-W Urban Native Wigwam Project (KWUNWP) project,
27 Cambridge Street, Cambridge
This project by K-W Urban Native Wigwam Project will create 30 new affordable housing units to serve Indigenous community members. A total of 16 units will be dedicated specifically to Indigenous women and their children. Occupancy is anticipated in May 2024.
K-W Urban Native Wigwam Project (KWUNWP) transitional housing development, 34 Bridgeport Road East, Waterloo
Urban Native Transitional Housing is an Indigenous Led Housing Program that helps Indigenous people transition from temporary housing, to permanent housing. It focuses on assisting those living unhoused with culturally relevant supports while they secure permanent housing. This location opened in August 2023.
Surplus lands
Another important component of the Building Better Futures plan is creating innovative ways to get more affordable homes built. One way the Region is achieving this is through the use of surplus lands. To date, the Region has identified three surplus sites that will be used for affordable housing. These sites include 30 Lauris Avenue in Cambridge, 1388 Highland Road West in Kitchener and 41 Westhill Drive, Waterloo.
National Housing Day
The Region of Waterloo hosted an event in Cambridge for National Housing Day last year. National Housing day is on November 22, and is a day recognized across Canada to highlight the importance of access to housing. At the event, the Region highlighted individuals and groups who have gone above and beyond to support community members to achieve their housing goals and improve their quality of life.
This year’s theme was Homes for all: a portrait of the housing continuum. The event featured keynote speakers, a speaker’s panel, awards, and networking opportunities that included community organizations and partners discussing the housing continuum and possible solutions.
