Background
The number of people who are currently experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region is higher than ever before.
Homelessness is a complex problem with many causes. There is no one answer. Region of Waterloo staff are working with the community to find solutions. Together, our community co-created The Plan to End Chronic Homelessness (The Plan).
The Plan is a roadmap for strategies, resources and timelines to end chronic homelessness in Waterloo Region.
The voice of lived expertise will be vital in creating The Plan. The creation of The Plan is in community, by community and for community.
The Social Development Centre Waterloo Region (SDCWR) is facilitating pilot projects led by lived experts.
How can I get involved or learn more?
- Submit a question in the Q & A portal below
- Send an email to EndChronicHomelessness@regionofwaterloo.ca
- Call: (519) 575-4400, extension 5008 | Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TTY): 519-575-4608
- Interpreters are available in over 150 languages
- Sign up to follow this project and receive regular email updates to your inbox
- Follow on Twitter or Instagram
- The community engagement survey has now closed. Thank you for your input. Survey findings are presented in the Mid-Project Key Findings Report.
The topic of homelessness may surface emotional responses or trauma for some people. As you interact with our engagement activities, please be mindful of your wellbeing and do not proceed if you feel uncomfortable. If you are experiencing emotional or mental distress, please reach out for help.
CMHA Waterloo-Wellington's Here 24/7 Helpline
- Call 1-844-437-3247 (HERE-247), TTY: 1-877-688-5501
- Visit here247.ca (English and French)
Multilingual Helpline Support
- Call 905-459-7777, TTY: 905-278-4890
- Visit dcogt.com/multilingual-distress-lines (English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu)
News Feed
Survey (July 2023)
Community Toolkit Downloads
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Poster 8.5x11PDF (2.51 MB)
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The Plan Wordmark BlackPNG (66.53 KB)
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The Plan Wordmark WhitePNG (66.53 KB)
Pop-up Booths and Engagement Labs (Summer 2023)
8 July 2023
Pop-up Booth at Hespeler Music Festival
Visit the pop-up booth between 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
17 July 2023
Pop-up Booth at 99 Regina Street South, Waterloo (Region of Waterloo Public Health and Community Services Building)
Visit the pop-up booth between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
99 Region Street, South
Waterloo, ON N2J 4G6
18 July 2023
Pop-up Booth at Greenway Chaplin Community Centre
Visit the pop-up booth between 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
116 Rouse Avenue
Cambridge, ON, N1R 4M8
19 July 2023
Pop-up Booth at Kitchener Public Library Central Library
Visit the pop-up booth between 1 to 4 p.m.
85 Queen Street North
Kitchener ON N2H 2H1
20 July 2023
Pop-up Booth at Region of Waterloo Library Ayr Branch
Visit the pop-up booth between 2 to 5 p.m.
137 Stanley St.
Ayr ON N0B 1E0
22 July 2023
Pop-up Booth at SunLife Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival
Visit the pop-up booth between 11 to 8 p.m.
Waterloo City Centre parking lot (100 Regina Street South)
25 July 2023
Pop-up Booth at Region of Waterloo Library New Hamburg Branch
Visit the pop-up booth between 5 to 8 p.m.
145 Huron St.,
New Hamburg, ON N3A 1K1
5 August 2023
Pop-up Booth at Ken Seiling Museum
Visit the pop-up booth between 11 to 4 p.m.
10 Huron Road
Kitchener ON, N2P 2R7
11 July 2023
Virtual Engagement Lab - Registration Required (Zoom)
Participate in an online virtual engagement session facilitated by Overlap Associates.
Date: Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Time: 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Register now(External link) (space is limited)
The session will be held on Zoom and facilitators will use Mentimeter(External link) as a tool during the conversations. If you have any accessibility concerns please email Ben Balfour at bbalfour@overlapassociates.com(External link).
Project Timeline
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Timeline item 1 - complete
August 2022
Regional Council directed staff to develop a plan to end chronic homelessness as part of the Interim Housing Solutions strategy.
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Timeline item 2 - complete
January to April 2023
The process to create The Plan begins.
Project partners present to Regional Council on April 4.
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Timeline item 3 - complete
Summer 2023
Community engagement activities and pilot projects will take place across Waterloo Region.
Anyone who wants to get involved will be able to take part. Sign up for email updates.
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Timeline item 4 - complete
September 2023
A framework based on key findings from engagement activities and pilot projects will be shared with the community and Regional Council.
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Timeline item 5 - complete
November 2023
An interim report on The Plan to End Chronic Homelessness will be presented to the community and Regional Council.
Next steps to transition to implementing the Plan will be highlighted.
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Timeline item 6 - complete
April 2024
A full report on The Plan to End Chronic Homelessness will go to Community and Health Services Committee on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 and Regional Council on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
