As published by the Niagara Region, November 22, 2023
This year’s National Housing Day brings news of positive developments in housing and homelessness in Niagara.
Homelessness in Canada was declared a crisis by the Big City Mayor’s Caucus in 1998. Every year since, National Housing Day has been celebrated on Nov. 22 to highlight housing’s successes and challenges.
“A lot has changed in the quarter of a century since the Big City’s Mayor’s declaration. The wait for housing is exponentially longer and we are painfully aware of the increase in homelessness. However, there has also been a great deal of progress, which makes the future much more promising than it was a few years ago.”
Cameron Banach, Director of Niagara Region Housing Services and Chief Executive Officer of Niagara Regional Housing
This progress includes:
- 934 new units of affordable housing across Niagara since 2006, including 46 new units in 2023
- Housing Services’ support to non-profit, cooperative and private developers interested in building new affordable housing
- The development of new supportive and transitional housing units as a long-term solution to homelessness
- Plans for a new portable shelter in St. Catharines to reduce the number of individuals living without shelter
- Approval of the Consolidated Housing Master Plan to provide a plan to use existing public/not-for profit lands/assets to meet the identified need for 479 units per year until 2045
- Niagara’s new Strategic Transformation Office, is focused on increasing the supply of “attainable” housing by working closely with local area municipalities and partners. The Transformation Office is dedicated to increasing the housing options for medium-income households.
- Ongoing work on the Housing and Homelessness Action Plan, which brings community partners together to align activities to address current and future needs for housing and homelessness supports
“The pieces of the puzzle are all in place. With the direction of the Consolidated Housing Master Plan, the Strategic Transformation Office, the Housing and Homelessness Action Plan and affordable housing development support, I’m confident that the momentum will continue and National Housing Day will become a celebration of Niagara’s progress for years to come.”
Adrienne Jugley, Commissioner of Community Services, Niagara Region
Media Contact
Cameron Banach
Director, Housing Services/CEO, NRH
905-682-9201 ext. 3930
