In a recent report to Bruce County Council by Tania Dickson, Housing Services Manager Bruce County, housing appears to still be in dire straits with long waiting lists pertaining to affordability.
In Bruce County, the YMCA of Grey Bruce delivers emergency shelter solutions, through partnerships with local motels throughout the region. It provides crisis response and housing supports to adults, youth, and families experiencing homelessness.
Emergency shelter services include outreach support and shelter diversion. The YMCA uses a Housing First approach to assist clients in finding more permanent solutions quickly. According to the report, between January 1, 2023, and September 30, 2023, the YMCA provided 7,656 nights of shelter averaging 34.79 nights per household.
Low vacancy rates and high rental costs have made it difficult for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and difficult economic times to secure more permanent housing in Bruce County or surrounding areas.
When it comes to homelessness, a person is considered chronically homeless when they have been living without a home for six months (not consecutive) in one year. In Bruce County, 63% of the residents experiencing homelessness meet the chronic definition.
According to Dickson, “Bruce County is responsible for managing the Centralized Waitlist. As at September 30, 2023, there were 1,162 applicants on the waitlist with 1,109 rent-geared-to-income (RGI), and 53 market rent applications. There are 342 families, 457 adults, and 310 senior applications on the waitlist. There have been 30 applicants housed between January 1, 2023, and September 30, 2023.”
Unfortunately, it also appears that Saugeen Shores is at the top of the list in almost every category from families to adults, with Kincardine running a close second.
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In speaking with volunteers on task forces organized to consider the housing crisis and possible solutions, many are becoming discouraged with the lack of momentum by the Provincial and Federal governments when it comes to regulation and policy.
One of the few organizations that seems to have made any in-roads to the housing crisis is Habitat for Humanity and its working premise of helping to provide homes through a ‘sweat equity’ platform and its Beyond the Build: Affordability for All premise.
In a recent survey by Habitat for Humanity, the number one concern expressed by participants was housing affordability. The surveyed also showed that:
● Half of Canadians (49%) are spending 50% or more of their household income on housing costs. For Canadians aged 18-34, those spending 50% or more of their household income on housing costs jumps to 64%.
● Over half of Canadians (58%) worry about sacrificing basic needs like food, living essentials, clothing, and education to afford their rent or mortgage payments.
● The overwhelming majority (92%) believe that there is a shortage of affordable housing in Canada, and 94% feel that the goal of owning a home is becoming more difficult to reach.
● Over half (58%) worry about their children being able to afford a home in the future.
For more than 30 years, the Federal and Provincial governments have walked away from helping with housing and now, we’re paying the price … rent controls instituted in the 1960s and controlled by Ontario Housing were removed and building codes and regulations were expanded beyond belief, among other criteria. The result? Society is now in the proverbial pickle when it comes to housing … not just for home ownership but for decent rental accommodation at decent rents. When 30 per cent of income is deemed the standard for housing and the actual has now risen to 50 – 60 per cent, we have a major problem!
“At Habitat for Humanity Canada, we share this belief. The housing crisis can be solved. And everyone has a role to play – governments, financial institutions and investors, home builders, and citizens. We must work together to build more, build faster, and invest in all parts of the housing continuum to ensure affordability for all. Strong, healthy communities start with safe and affordable housing.”
