We have reached out and interacted with a variety of social agencies and groups in the Region to learn about existing strategies and determine where we might fit in to help advocate for action on affordable and supportive housing in Waterloo Region. We organized target letter-writing campaigns. 

We have heard stories of lived experience, of homelessness, of ‘renovictions’ due to gentrification and market speculation, and about the need for planning that includes greater public interest policies. Other cities in Canada are finding inspiration in the experiment of Housing First, which Finland has enacted with encouraging results.  

The Region of Waterloo, in collaboration with our local cities, is developing a housing strategy to meet the demands of the growing number of homeless and precariously-housed people in our rapidly growing cities. Every demographic of society -- youth, seniors, the disabled, Indigenous people, and immigrants -- is affected by the scarcity of affordable and appropriate homes.  Our club's Working Group continues to inform us on the possibilities for action in this vital area of our society.