United Housing is Perth-Huron’s first non-profit housing organization dedicated to creating and sustaining mixed-income rental units.

The Housing Crisis at a Glance

Housing is unaffordable for many households in Perth-Huron

Local housing costs have risen dramatically. That means that many people — your friends, family, and neighbours — must spend more than the recommended 30% of their income on housing, putting additional stress on already strained household budgets.

PRICES AND ASKING RENTS DRAMATICALLY OUTPACED OFFERED WAGES FROM 2018-2022

Source: HPAR, City of Stratford, UWPH calculations.

MOST HOUSEHOLDS CAN’T AFFORD HOME OWNERSHIP OR RENT

Annual Income Required

Source: Statistics Canada, HPAR, UWPH calculations

United Housing is a newly incorporated not-for-profit corporation with a mission to develop and manage mixed-income rental housing (with 2/3 below market rent) in Stratford, St. Marys, Perth County and Huron County. The Board of United Housing includes members of United Way Perth-Huron’s Board, along with experts in property development and management. To bring a broader perspective to the projects we consider, the Board also includes Directors who are residents of the communities we work in. Meet the Board and Staff

Helping people facing housing challenges:

Raymond

Raymond found shelter wherever he could, but he dreamed of having a place of his own where he would feel safe and warm.

 

Dorothea

Dorothea was leaving her home, but faced an uncertain future. She wanted a smaller place, but everything she looked at had rents beyond what she could afford.

Arlene

Arlene escaped an abusive partner with her children. A friend took them in temporarily, but Arlene knew her family needed a stable home and she couldn’t find a place that didn’t cost everything she had in rent.

 

Dylan

Dylan found a job in a local community, but there weren’t any affordable places for him and his daughter to live.

United Housing Principles

Non-Profit

Every dollar of project profit will be reinvested to develop and service more affordable housing.

Viability

Every development project must be financially self sustaining.

Collaboration

Development projects will utilize partnerships as much as possible.

Rentals

Most housing projects will focus on rental units.

Affordability

Every housing project must have affordable units, striving for as many as possible (at least 50%).

Mixed Use

Most housing projects will be mixed use.

Community
Building

Some projects will address access to services by including space for service organizations.

Green

Most housing projects will incorporate environmentally friendly building techniques.

Homelessness
Reduction

Some of the affordable units will be offered to those on the By-Name List for Perth and Huron.

What is United Housing?

Developer of Housing

United Housing works to build and run projects that include everyone, whether that’s market, workforce or affordable housing. By welcoming people from different walks of life into a single community, we are addressing the housing crisis and encouraging a more welcoming place to call home.

Operator of Housing

Along with creating and building new housing, United Housing operates housing. We don’t just build units and leave them behind: we work with residents to build a sense of community and keep investing in the units to ensure they remain appealing places to live.

Property Management

Starting in mid-2025 United Housing will offer property management services. If you own a building but don’t want to be a landlord, we can help. You can hire United Housing do the work by taking care of day-to-day property management. Stay tuned for more details!

Property Acquisition

Preserving existing below-market rental units is just as important as creating new ones. By acquiring and maintaining these properties—whether they’re non-profit, co-op housing, or private market buildings—we can ensure there is a supply to help address the housing crisis in our region.