We’re working to make housing more affordable in our city so Kitchener can be an even better place for everyone to call home. Learn about our advisory committee, project updates and phases.
On this page:
About the strategy
We know the importance of strong and diverse neighbourhoods where residents can grow and thrive. That’s why we’re developing a new housing strategy and working to make housing across Kitchener more affordable.
We’re working with these groups to find solutions that will increase housing options across the housing continuum:
- our advisory committee
- Region of Waterloo
- community groups
- members of the non-profit sector
- development industry
On December 14, 2020, staff presented the recommended strategy to council.
Advisory committee
Our advisory committee is made up of members of the public, city councillors, community partners, development industry professionals, academics, city staff and regional housing staff. This committee has played a key role in building the strategy.
- public: Kathy Hamilton, Linda Terry, Martin Asling, Margaret Ellis-Young, Karen Taylor-Harrison, Regan Sunshine Brussé, Charles Nichols, Alan Praught, Janice Bock
- Kitchener city council: Debbie Chapman, Christine Michaud, Dave Schnider, Paul Singh
- non-profit: Lori Trumper, Elizabeth Clarke, Karen Coviello, Dan Driedger, Aleksandra Petrovic Graonic, Jessica Bondy, Joe Mancini, Al Mills, Carl Cadogan
- industry: Alex Sumner, Mike Maxwell, George Bikas, Stephen Litt, Tracey Appleton
- Region of Waterloo: Ryan Pettipiere
- LHIN: Rhonda Wideman
Project updates
We'll post Housing for All projects below. Subscribe to this page to get an email when we add something new.
YWKW Block Line supportive housing project for women
City council voted to provide a 50-year lease to the YWKW for new supportive housing. The project will have 41 units of supportive housing for women experiencing homelessness.
This project is supported by funding from:
- City of Kitchener
- Region of Waterloo
- Rapid Housing Initiative funding from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation
OneROOF supportive housing for youth
We're supporting OneROOF as they develop 44 units of supportive housing for youth. This new build will ensure all youth who are homeless in Waterloo Region will have a place to live.
Backyard homes and tiny houses
We're committed to building a caring community and finding solutions to the affordable housing crisis. Tiny houses, laneway suites and backyard homes add to the mix and range of housing in Kitchener. These all fall under the permit category of Additional Dwelling Units. We updated our zoning by law to allow for these on most properties zoned R-1 through R-7.
Learn more about backyard homes and tiny houses.
Collaboration with The Shift - Leilani Farha's op-ed in the Waterloo Region Record
We're working with The Shift on a project to realize the right to housing in Kitchener. The Shift is a global housing advocacy group and will be leading the project. Leilani Farha is The Shift's Global Director and former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to housing.
Read Leilani Farha's op-ed on Housing For All in the Waterloo Region Record.
Temporary location for A Better Tent City
We’re working with the Region of Waterloo and The Working Centre to provide property to temporarily relocate A Better Tent City (ABTC).
A small part of our Battler Road snow storage site will be used as a short-term solution to house about 50 people who are living in small cabins at Lot 42 as part of A Better Tent City. The snow storage site is available for ABTC until the end of October 2021 when it will return to its regular use as part of our winter maintenance operations.
The Working Centre is working on a ‘Good Neighbour Plan’ intended to maintain a safe, respectful and inclusive community. The plan will be available on their website soon.
For more information, read our media release.
Peter J. Marshall Innovation Award
At the 2021 AMO Conference, we were presented with the Peter J. Marshall Innovation Award. The P.J. Marshall Award is an annual competitive process to acknowledge municipalities who have had creativity and success in implementing new, innovative ways of serving the public. It is sponsored by AMO, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks & Treasurers of Ontario, the Canadian Council for Public Private Partnerships, the Municipal Finance Officers’ Association, and the Ontario Municipal Administrators’ Association.
For more information, read AMO's media release.
Project phases
This project has five phases:
- project planning
- housing needs assessment
- issues and options
- prepare housing strategy and inclusionary zoning
- approval
Learn more about each phase below.
Phase 1: Project planning
In the first phase of this project, we:
- established a work plan
- created the advisory committee
For more information, read the staff report.
Phase 2: Housing needs assessment
Staff worked with the advisory committee to develop a housing needs assessment. We brought this assessment to the Community & Infrastructure Services Committee on January 13, 2020.
This report has since been updated with full 2019 data.
For more information, read the staff report.
Phase 3: Issues and options
Identify action options to address housing challenges, identify implications and possible directions of Inclusionary Housing Policy and zoning.
Community stakeholders including members of the public, non-profit community, and the development industry were engaged through an Engage Kitchener Survey and through interviews. Engagement for this phase is now complete.
For more information, read the survey engagement summary.
Phase 4: Prepare housing strategy & inclusionary zoning
Phase 4a
Staff presented the first draft of the housing strategy to council on August 31, 2020.
Read more:
Phase 4b
Staff brought the Inclusionary Zoning for Affordable Housing: Background and Fiscal Impact Analysis report to the Planning & Strategic Initiatives Committee on September 28, 2020.
For more information, read the staff report.
Phase 5: Approval
Staff presented the recommended Housing Strategy titled, “Housing For All” to Council on December 14, 2020.
Read more: