Supportive Housing Strategy
2025-2027
The Supportive Housing Strategy outlines a plan to address the existing and growing need for housing with supports in Niagara.
427
Supportive housing units available in Niagara, none of which are highly supportive
945
Additional supportive housing units are needed
565
Of the additional units should meet the needs for highly supportive housing
Supportive housing combines stable, affordable housing with health and social supports for people with complex needs who are experiencing homelessness. It helps people live as independently as possible in their communities.
Priority goes to people who have, or have had, one or more of the following:
- Chronic experiences of homelessness
- Mental health challenges
- Physical health needs
- Substance use disorders
- Complex and persistent conditions
- Age-related challenges (such as cognitive decline or frailty)
- Experiences of trauma
Our approach
How the strategy was built
Through background research, community engagement and professional consultation, the strategy developed recommendations on where attention and investment are needed to close service gaps and meet the demand for supportive housing across many sectors.
This strategy will impact the housing and homelessness focus area of Niagara's Community Safety and Well-Being Plan by improving access to housing, mental health and addictions services.
The strategy makes three recommendations
Make better use of our current housing spaces
Recommendation 1
- Improve coordination of services and programs
- Enhance system oversight
- Increase system flow-through
Protect and retain those spaces
Recommendation 2
- Support housing providers and landlords
- Increase the number of supportive housing units in existing buildings
Create more housing that meets community needs
Recommendation 3
- Develop a pipeline of shovel-ready projects
- Advocate for funding from all levels of government
Where the strategy is now
Progress
Developed the strategy
Completed
December 2024 to September 2025
Launched the Supportive Housing Action Table, reviewed supportive housing for exits from homelessness and presented the strategy to Council.
Developed the implementation plan
Completed
September 2025 to April 2026
Presented to Council on April 14, 2026.
Implementing the plan
In progress
April 2026 to September 2027
Implementation is being monitored and evaluated through September 2027.
