Dear Editor,
I read with interest the letter by Adrian Little that was published on March 14th.
I want to thank Mr. Little for his letter and for highlighting the ongoing impact of Canada’s housing crisis on our community and on his own family.
I know all too well the struggle that people earning minimum wage are facing when it comes to finding a place to live. As a Director on the Bruce County Housing Corporation (a County organization that manages 174 housing units in Saugeen Shores), I see clearly the impact that housing shortages are having on everyone in our community and, in particular, on those earning lower incomes.
The Town of Saugeen Shores is committed to overcoming the housing shortage and to ensuring that Saugeen Shores is a place where everyone, regardless of income, can find a place to live. That is why we appointed our Attainable Housing Task Force in 2020 and why, when we received their report in 2021, we immediately took action to begin implementing their recommendations.
Our efforts to bring about the construction new, more affordable, housing options are beginning to bear fruit with over 700 apartment units now in various stages of planning in Saugeen Shores. This, combined with efforts at Bruce County to maintain and enhance housing supports for the people who are most in need, is reflective of our ongoing and persistent effort to ensure that people like Mr. Little, and anyone else who wants to, can find a place to live in Saugeen Shores.
I know that our community is stronger when we are able to welcome a broad diversity of new residents. I’m hopeful that our efforts will soon serve to help Mr. Little to return to live in Saugeen Shores; I know that our community would benefit greatly to have hime and his family as residents.
Luke Charbonneau
Mayor
