At the Region’s National Housing Day event in Kitchener today, Regional Chair Karen Redman announced that the region has exceeded the goal for its five-year affordable housing plan, Building Better Futures.
More than 2,700 new affordable homes are in development or occupied across the region.
Among the new affordable units helping the region achieve its goal are three projects underway or completed in Cambridge.
They include the Kitchener Waterloo Urban Native Wigwam Project's new apartment building at 27 Cambridge St., the Waterloo Region Housing project on Langs Drive, which hopes to provide 136 affordable units by the end of 2026, and a building concept for a 106-unit apartment on vacant land at 30 Lauris Ave. which recently closed a request for proposals from interested developers.
“It is an incredible accomplishment to exceed our ambitious affordable housing goals. More affordable homes means more families in our community have access to a safe and comfortable place to live,” said Redman in a press release.
“Our strategic plan prioritizes homes for all because we know the importance of having a safe place to call home.”
The region’s affordable housing plan, Building Better Futures, set out to develop up to 2,500 new homes over five years, increasing the affordable housing created from an average of 50 units per year to 500 units per year.
The region worked with community partners to develop these affordable homes and recognized the important role they play. Provincial and federal programs also supported this work, creating more affordable housing.
“Through collaborative partnerships across the region, we are able to see that more homes are built. Working with our community partners made this goal a reality,” said regional councillor Jim Erb in the release.
The region says it's using innovative strategies to develop more affordable homes quickly. This includes:
- Unlocking Region-owned land
- Providing access to funding and land for developing affordable housing
- Exploring and implementing new, innovative techniques to develop more homes faster
Regional council has made housing a priority and continues to make significant investments in affordable housing, including $194.2 million for housing and homelessness in 2024. The Region’s strategic plan, Growing with Care, highlights Homes for All to invest in affordable homes and economic opportunity for everyone.
