16%.

In mid-September of 2024, the Social Research & Planning Council (SRPC) shared their Speak Up for Housing campaign: perthhuron.unitedway.ca/speakupforhousing. Included are stories from across our region illustrating the scale of the crisis locally. For example, both rental rates and the cost of purchasing housing have increased by about 100% since 2018. The Social Research & Planning Council has produced an infographic putting numbers to the stories: 2024 Housing Unaffordability Fact Sheet.pdf.

People with diverse backgrounds and income levels. Mixed Income Housing covers a range of residents:

• Some units will be offered at market rates.
• Some units will be targeted to people living and working nearby.
• Some units will be available to people who may currently be without stable housing, seniors, and women and their children escaping intimate partner violence.

A feasibility study identified the need for a non-profit housing provider in Perth-Huron focused on the rental market. Several regional agencies were approached but none had the capacity to expand. United Way Perth-Huron (UWPH) has a history of incubating successful community organizations and has the capacity to take on the challenge. Launching and sustaining United Housing aligns with UWPH principles for community impact.

The homelessness and housing affordability crisis is in every community. The people we intend to help are living here and are from here.

United Housing has the primary goal of addressing homelessness and affordability for a broad range of people. In addition to addressing the homelessness crisis, United Housing can help with
other challenges. For example, businesses and public institutions are struggling to attract employees, including the healthcare, tourism, and service industries. Having affordable housing available will attract people to the area and help alleviate the challenges that come from not having enough staff. United Housing projects will also support infill intensification and downtown revitalization which are important for environmentally sound development that is mindful of the limited supply of agricultural land.

Government investments in housing will only take us so far. The housing crisis is decades in the making and even when governments were engaged in building community/non-market/below-market housing units there was a significant role for co-ops and not-for-profits. United Housing will access grants and support when available, but addressing the crisis requires everyone’s help.

The United Housing Strategic Plan outlines the types of projects we will pursue: United Housing STRATEGIC PLAN.pdf.
In general:

• Rental
• Below-market (67%) and market (33%)
• Bachelor to 3-bedroom
• Apartment, townhouse, etc.

The Capital Stacks (how to pay for renovations and construction) for our projects may include funding from:

• • Capital Campaign donations
  • United Housing Community Bonds
  • Government and foundation grants
  • Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation (CMHC); loans and grants
  • Traditional financing; loans, mortgages
  • Other: subsidies, fee waivers, in-kind donations of materials and services, etc.

Provincial housing and homelessness programs, including emergency shelter systems, are administered through municipal service managers. Addressing homelessness is complex and requires many government agencies working together via service managers as well as through several provincial ministries. UWPH supports the work of our government and service agency partners to help support those struggling to meet their basic needs (Urgent Needs Fund) and access the services they need to find housing (Connection Centres, funding outreach and support staff, etc.). Shelter systems, emergency funds, and Connection Centres can only go so far in addressing the homelessness crisis. The ultimate goal should be everyone finding suitable housing that meets their needs.

Supportive housing and transitional housing are program-based housing models providing services to individuals that help them manage challenges impacting their ability to attain and retain housing. United Housing’s mandate is to create affordable, income-based housing. Some tenants may have supports in place, however these will be provided by community partners.

FACT - Many factors contribute to a person’s experience of homelessness. People often experience homelessness when all options have been exhausted and/or they are dealing with circumstances making it difficult to maintain housing. Obstacles include housing costs beyond income (part-time/minimum wage), coping with mental health challenges, or living with addictions.

FACT - It is difficult to find a job while experiencing homelessness. Lack of access to a phone, computer, fixed address, and transportation make it difficult to reach out to employers. Regular access to showers is also a huge challenge. It is also important to recognize there are many employed people experiencing homelessness because they earn minimum wage and/or only work part-time, making housing an impossibility.

FACT - Just like the general population, only a percentage of those experiencing homelessness deal with addictions. People experiencing homelessness may deal with other issues related to their experiences of homelessness including trauma and mental health challenges.

FACT - Many supports are focused on emergency services such as shelters and food banks. For individuals to move beyond the cycle of poverty, there needs to be a focus on the bigger picture of affordable housing and an extended support system to help ensure successful tenancy.

FACT - Housing prices remain high and there is no evidence to support this myth. Of 26 studies that examined this idea, 25 found no effect on housing values and the remaining study was inconclusive. Neighbours can be difficult or easy to live with and usually a new tenant with supports in place will prove to be the latter.

FACT - To survive, many people experiencing homelessness are constantly searching for the basic necessities of life such as food, shelter, and a source of income. Just surviving can take a good portion of their day, leaving little time for laziness.