Housing Is a Human Right: Join Us in Advocating for Safe, Affordable Homes in Grey Bruce

Everyone deserves a safe, secure, and affordable place to call home. Yet, in Grey and Bruce counties, many of our neighbors face housing challenges that threaten their health, dignity, and well-being.

The Crisis at a Glance

  • Skyrocketing Core Housing Need: Prior to the pandemic, approximately 30% of renters in Grey County and 29% in Bruce County live in core housing need—meaning their homes are unaffordable, inadequate, or unsuitable.

  • Critically Low Vacancy Rates: Rental vacancy rates are alarmingly low—1.7% in Grey County and 1.4% in Bruce County—far below the healthy benchmark of 3%. 

  • Long Waitlists for Subsidized Housing: Grey County’s subsidized housing waitlist grew from 1,517 in 2022 to 2,230 in 2024, reflecting a growing demand for affordable housing options. 

Our Collaborative Approach

The Housing Action Group, a coalition of social housing managers, health promoters, women’s shelters, legal advisers, housing service agencies, and homelessness prevention organizations, is at the forefront of addressing these challenges. 

We believe in multi-sectoral collaboration that includes:

  • Community Voices: Incorporating the lived experiences of those facing housing insecurity to inform solutions.

  • Indigenous Partnerships: Collaborating with Indigenous organizations to address off-reserve Indigenous homelessness through culturally safe practices.

  • Intersectoral Initiatives: Engaging various sectors to tackle housing inadequacy through programs like RentSafe and the Above Standard Housing Project. 

Key Initiatives

 

RENTSAFE OWEN SOUND COLLABORATIVE

An initiative aimed at addressing unhealthy housing conditions affecting low-income tenants. It brings together tenants, landlords, and service providers to promote safe and healthy homes. (povertytaskforce.com)

Home Takeover Project

A pilot project coordinated by the Grey Bruce Health Unit and Grey County Housing to understand and respond to situations where individuals’ homes are taken over by others, compromising their safety and well-being. (povertytaskforce.com)

Giiwe Circles

An inter-agency collaboration led by the M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre, focusing on reducing off-reserve Indigenous homelessness through culturally safe practices and trust-building. (povertytaskforce.com)

How You Can Make a Difference

  • Educate Yourself and Others: Understand the housing challenges in our community and share this knowledge.

  • Advocate for Change: Contact local and provincial representatives to express the need for affordable housing solutions.

  • Support Local Initiatives: Volunteer with or donate to organizations working to alleviate housing insecurity.

  • Join the Conversation: Participate in community meetings and forums to voice your concerns and suggestions.

Stay Connected

To learn more about our housing initiatives or to get involved in our Housing Community of Practice, contact us. 

Together, we can work towards a future where everyone in Grey and Bruce counties has access to safe, affordable, and adequate housing.

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