Together We Can Make an Impact on Affordable Housing in Our Community

• Population growth is up 273% while housing construction starts are up 31%

• Kitchener and Waterloo home prices are now 8.6 times higher than median household income, up from 3.0 times higher than income in 2005

• Between 2006 and 2019, temporary jobs grew at 2.6 times faster than full-time permanent jobs; self-employment grew 2.4 times faster; and part-time jobs grew at 1.9 times faster

The data tells a compelling story. If you haven’t had a chance – visit www.kwcf.ca/vital-signs and read the 2021 Waterloo Region Vital Signs Report. Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation (KWCF) collaborated with people from across our community to create a snapshot of the affordable housing situation in our region – with the goal of kick starting conversations as a springboard for action.

The report includes ideas about what members of our community can do:

1) Add your voice to show affordable housing is a priority.

Advocate for things like inclusionary zoning, lower speed limits, more green spaces, additional safe infrastructure around higher density areas, and access to transportation and social services in lower income neighbourhoods.

2) Make rental units you own more energy efficient. This may not only help lower costs, but also help maintain higher environmental standards, therefore increasing the living conditions for your tenants.

3) Think about finding someone to homeshare with.

Homesharing can provide many benefits to both parties, including companionship, someone to assist with tasks around your house, and reducing the financial responsibilities for both you and your new housemate.

Employers have a role to play as well:

1) Consider having team members volunteer together or provide donations to local organizations tackling affordable housing. Our report lists about 15 – but there’s even more to consider!

2) Stagnating incomes in our region are causing great concerns. Median total income in Waterloo Region is staying relatively flat, while housing prices are skyrocketing. Single mothers, racialized individuals and younger people entering the workforce are particularly impacted. Is your organization in a position to increase pay with the increased cost of living in the region?

3) Is your workplace easily accessible by public transportation routes that are available to all, including individuals living in affordable or supportive housing?

4) Jobs that have been growing the quickest in Waterloo

Region also tend to have lower rates of benefits provided.

Left behind: The State of Oral Health in Waterloo Region is a report we released in September 2021, in partnership with Green Shield Canada. This report illustrates some of the consequences of the increasingly challenging labour market on oral health. Attraction and retention of employees continues to be a major factor for local employers. Perhaps adding benefits to your hiring strategies will assist your organization – and based on the findings, it will definitely assist team members without benefits.

The data and actions mentioned above are only a small sample of what is available in the report. If you are moved or motivated by what you read, use the report as a starting point for positive action. We encourage you to share the report with your colleagues, business partners, friends, and neighbours.

Let’s keep learning together! Let’s experiment to try new things and see what works and what doesn’t! Let’s continue to take action on affordable housing in Waterloo Region! Our community is in crisis, and we have to act – now.

It will take us all coming together to Do More Good. Forever.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Elizabeth Heald

Elizabeth Heald is the President & CEO of Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation (KWCF), an organization focused on “Making it Easy for People to Do More Good.” You can contact Elizabeth at 519-725-1806 x 201 or at elizabeth@ kwcf.ca. www.kwcf.ca

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