City of Kitchener extends land license agreement for A Better Tent City

The City of Kitchener has extended the land use license agreement for A Better Tent City, located on Ardelt Ave. in Kitchener.

A Better Tent City (ABTC) is a temporary community of tiny homes that house and support about 50 individuals experiencing homelessness. Residents live in their own small cabins and have access to on-site health care and other social services. The ABTC initiative occupies lands owned by the City of Kitchener and the Waterloo Region District School Board.

“The City of Kitchener has a long history of working with our community partners to find creative solutions to address social challenges like homelessness,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “From the very beginning in the dark days of the pandemic, our city stepped up to support the A Better Tent City initiative and, most importantly, its residents. I’m so proud to serve with my colleagues on Kitchener Council with their openness to innovative solutions and their prioritization on the full range of affordable housing to once again support A Better Tent City and its residents.”

"We are thrilled to continue our partnership with A Better Tent City at the Waterloo Region District School Board Education Centre. Embracing our neighbours while they await permanent housing reflects our commitment to ensuring everyone in the Waterloo Region has the supports they need to be successful, especially those most marginalized. It's a core value of ours. We are proud to continue collaborating with the City of Kitchener to allow the A Better Tent City program to serve as a secure and supportive environment for members of our community facing housing challenges," said jeewan chanicka, Director of Education, Waterloo Region District School Board.

The City has an agreement with A Better Tent City for temporarily using the property at 49 Ardelt Ave.

“A Better Tent City is very grateful to the City of Kitchener and the Waterloo Region District School Board for continuing to make this property available,” said Jeff Wilmer, chair of A Better Tent City. “Without it, the 50 residents of ABTC would very likely have no safe place to go. But with it, they have stability, meals, access to basic services, health care and, most importantly, hope.”

The license agreement extension will be up for renewal in May 2025 and will be reviewed on an annual basis.

For more information, contact: 

Shawn Falcao
Manager, Corporate Communications
shawn.falcao@kitchener.ca