Niagara's Housing and Homelessness Action Plan | Community Update

Collaboration and working groups

Affordable housing and homelessness in Niagara have reached a crisis point. Niagara Region cannot accomplish the goals of the Housing and Homelessness Action Plan on its own, and must partner with:

• Housing and homelessness service providers across health, corrections and child welfare systems
• Municipal, provincial and federal governments
• Indigenous organizations and communities
• Private developers

The Housing and Homelessness Action Plan working groups support collaboration on service and system improvements in ten focus areas. Within those areas, there are opportunities for participants to align initiatives and provide regular input on service and system planning.

2023 Working groups

• Assertive Street Outreach

  A service that engages with people experiencing unsheltered homelessness to reduce the harmful effects of rough sleeping while working toward long-term housing solutions.

  Chair: Shelly Mousseau, Gateway Residential and Support Services

• Coordinated Access and By-Name List

  A way to objectively match people with appropriate services no matter how they enter the homeless serving system.

  Facilitated by Homelessness Services staff

• Exits from Justice to Homelessness

  Collaboration with the justice system to reduce the number of people discharged from justice into homelessness.

  Facilitated by Homelessness Services staff

• Homelessness Prevention

  Supports individuals and families in imminent risk of experiencing homelessness to maintain their housing or obtain new housing without becoming homeless.

  Co-Chairs: Michael Lethby, The RAFT and Jon Braithwaite, The Hope Centre

• Housing Affordability Innovation

  Supports increased use of innovation to address the challenge of housing affordability in Niagara.

  Chair: Lori Beech, Bethlehem Housing and Support Services

• Housing First and Home for Good

  A recovery-oriented approach to ending homelessness that focuses on moving individuals with complex needs into independent and permanent housing. This includes case management to support housing retention and improved well being.

  Co-Chairs: Shelly Mousseau, Gateway Residential and Support Services

• Housing-Focused Shelter

  A low-barrier emergency accommodation for people experiencing a housing crisis that supports them to return as soon as possible to safe, appropriate housing.

  Chair: Steve Brnjas, Salvation Army Booth Centre

• Housing Provider Advisory

  Advises on policies, procedures and services related to non-profit and co-operative housing providers.

  Chair: Betty Ann Baker, Niagara Peninsula Homes and Kelly Kendrick, Ganawageh and Ohsto: Seri Urban Homes

• Lived Expert Advisory

  Advises on policies, procedures and services from the perspective of homeless services users, and raises awareness, educates and addresses stigma.

  Chair: Ilona Matheson, Community Member

• Supported Transitional Housing

  Temporary accommodation and support to move people from homelessness to independent living or permanent housing.

  Chair: Elisabeth Zimmermann, YWCA Niagara Region

Niagara's rental market

A challenging market for lower income renters

In 2023, Niagara's low-to moderate income renters continued to experience a more challenging market as rents continue to increase faster than incomes.

The average rent for a two-bedroom unit was $1,388 which is 8.4 per cent higher than 2022. Rising interest rates and high house prices have made it hard for renters to buy homes, so they stay in their rental units. This increases the demand for rental units.

While the vacancy rate in Niagara appears to be healthy at 2.8 per cent, it should be considered with caution. In the past, lower vacancy rates for more affordable units have been balanced by higher vacancy rates for more expensive rental units.

The large increase in average rents was due, in part, to the difference between rents paid by new tenants and those paid by long-term tenants. In 2023, new tenants paid 25.7 per cent higher on average than long-term tenants. This makes it hard for those looking to find new rental homes.

A more challenging rental market increases demand for community housing options.

Housing and Homelessness Services by numbers (2023)

New development updates

Progress towards achieving action items

By the end of December 2023, 84 per cent progress was made toward finishing all 75 actions in the updated Housing and Homelessness Action Plan. At that time, 57 actions were completed, 12 were in progress and six needed significant work.

Actions still needing significant work include those related to working with Indigenous partners. These actions address the need for housing and supports for Indigenous individuals and families needing affordable housing or homelessness.

Areas of focus for 2024 include finishing the review of the original Action Plan, completing a new Action Plan and supporting Indigenous access to land. Efforts will also include Indigenous-led housing development, affordable home ownership and homelessness services by Indigenous organizations for Indigenous people.

75 Actions

• 57 Complete
• 12 In progress
• 6 To be completed

Highlighted accomplishments