On October 16, 2019, Halton Regional Council endorsed the Comprehensive Housing Strategy 2014-2024 – Five-year Review (PDF file), which ensures Halton Region is building communities that continue to meet the diverse housing needs of residents. The review evaluates the Region’s progress with the creation and protection of government assisted housing and provides actions to guide Halton’s housing work over the next five years.
“Halton Region is committed to delivering safe, affordable and accessible housing for our residents,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “Our Comprehensive Housing Strategy is supported by a multi-year financial plan that includes a $107 million Regional investment in this social infrastructure.”
The review, which is required under the provincial Housing Services Act (external link), highlights the Region’s five strategic directions, which respond to the housing needs of all Halton residents:
- Promote complete and healthy communities.
- Encourage and protect affordable housing.
- Encourage and protect community housing.
- Support independent living.
- Assist Halton residents to maintain their housing and prevent homelessness.
Key achievements from the first five years of the Comprehensive Housing Strategy 2014-2024 include:
- the creation of 764 new housing opportunities;
- diversification of the Region’s housing mix through growth management targets, which require that at least 50 per cent of new housing is higher density;
- the development of a new Halton In-Situ Program (HIP)—the province’s first portable housing benefit;
- implementation of a bi-annual point-in-time survey of people experiencing homelessness in Halton to ensure the needs of these vulnerable people are understood; and
- the use of evidence-informed homelessness data to create a new Halton Housing First program, which assists Halton residents who are at risk of homelessness to stay housed and supported.
As the Region continues its work to address housing needs in Halton, it will also continue to advocate for permanent, ongoing and sustainable funding from the Provincial and Federal governments.
To learn more about the Comprehensive Housing Strategy 2014-2024 – Five-year Review (PDF file), visit halton.ca.
The Regional Municipality of Halton serves more than 580,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. Halton Region is committed to meeting the needs of its residents through the delivery of cost-effective, quality programs and services, including water and wastewater; Regional roads and planning; paramedic services; waste management; public health; social assistance; children’s and seniors’ services; housing services; heritage programs; emergency management and economic development. For more information, call 311 or visit Halton Region’s website at halton.ca.