Everyone has a role to play in ending homelessness and promoting housing stability in Waterloo Region – all levels of government, non-profit groups, the private sector and community members. This report card and its accompanying booklet have been created by the Homelessness and Housing Umbrella Group to bring awareness to the issues of homelessness and housing in Waterloo Region.
Housing stability is characterized by safe, affordable and long term residency. Housing stability requires the following factors to be in place:
• The housing must be safe, accessible, adequately maintained, of suitable size, affordable, provide security of tenure and be considered acceptable by the individual.
• People must have enough income to sustain the minimum standards for rent, utilities, food, health, clothing, education, transportation and recreation.
• People must have the opportunity to access additional support, as needed, to help them live as independently as desired and to connect to others in meaningful ways.
As housing stability increases, the risk of homelessness decreases.
The 2009 report card booklet highlights the importance of rental housing affordability. A glossary of terms and an explanation of the data can be found on the Homelessness and Housing Umbrella Group website at www.hhug.ca. This report card grades how we as a community have addressed housing stability in 2008 compared to 2007.
Download: