Meeting Canada’s affordable housing goals is not the private market’s mandate — nor has it ever been.
That’s why Ontario United Ways have come together with a joint submission to the Build Canada Homes Design.
A healthy housing system provides access to affordable housing options that meet people’s needs at different stages of life. Yet, rising costs and the declining availability of housing stock and housing choices, coupled with stagnating incomes, have left too many people without safe, stable, accessible and affordable homes. High rates of core housing need are not being met with relief. Instead, deeply affordable and supportive housing options are shrinking, driving up waitlists, pushing more people into homelessness, contributing to socio-economic challenges and heightening inequalities.
A critical pitfall of our current housing system is the lack of sustained focus and investment in stimulating the community housing sector in favour of encouraging a private market-dominated landscape. Approximately 95% of Canada’s housing stock is privately owned. At only 3.5%, the proportion of community housing falls far behind that of our OECD peers. While community housing providers have successfully brought projects to completion despite being constrained by insufficient and inconsistent funding, they have not yet been able to bring the full force of their expertise to bear or operate at the scale possible — and needed.
A fundamental shift in how housing is planned, funded and delivered is required — and, if done correctly, Build Canada Homes could be the catalyst we need in realizing the full potential of Canada’s community housing sector across the country.
The United Way of Bruce Grey and Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force adds their support to the United Way Greater Toronto and the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada, which released a costed, delivery-ready plan to address affordable housing needs. Ontario, Canada – Aug 13, 2025 — Ontario’s housing crisis is at a breaking point, but a new report, Built for Good: Delivering the Housing Ontario Needs, shows there is a clear, achievable path forward — if all levels of government, the non-profit sector, and private partners act now.
Developed by United Way Greater Toronto and the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada, with support from SHS, the report outlines an ambitious 10-year plan to ensure everyone in Ontario has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.
The need is urgent across the province:
Over 805,000 deeply affordable housing units are required for low-income households by 2035, including 93,000 supportive housing units and 55,000 units for Indigenous households.
An additional 145,000 moderately affordable units are needed for moderate-income households.
225,000 existing affordable homes must be acquired, repaired, and maintained to prevent further loss.
The plan is practical and cost-effective. It calls for:
$16.7 billion in investment by 2027.
$62.6 billion by 2030, combining upfront capital and ongoing subsidies.
Clear leadership, government coordination, and predictable funding to empower non-profit and co-op housing providers.
Why it matters:
The report stresses that housing is a public good and a shared responsibility. Without action, the crisis will worsen, costing billions in emergency shelters, healthcare, and lost productivity. By contrast, proactive investment will improve health, education, and economic outcomes for hundreds of thousands of Ontarians.
“The solutions are here, the expertise is here, and the time for action is now,” said Heather MacDonald, President & CEO of United Way Greater Toronto. “By scaling up non-profit and co-op housing, we can deliver lasting affordability and stability for generations.”
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Tim Ross, CEO of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada (Ontario Region). “With bold leadership and targeted investment, we can build the housing Ontario actually needs.”
Locally over 3,000 households have applications into either Bruce and/or Grey County for deeply affordable community housing.
Applicants to the United Way Bruce Grey’s Utility Assistance Program have an average income of $22,500 demonstrating that households need deeply affordable housing due to low income.
“In 2024, homelessness affected 375 individuals in Grey County and 109 households in Bruce County, with a significant proportion experiencing chronic homelessness. Among them are children, youth, Indigenous community members, and seniors — a stark reminder that homelessness impacts people of all ages and backgrounds across our region.”
– Jill Umbach, Coordinator, Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force
“We cannot keep doing the same things and expect different results. In Bruce Grey, as across Ontario, the housing crisis is deepening despite decades of effort. This is the moment to change course — to invest in bold, proven solutions like non-profit and co-operative housing that deliver long-term affordability. If we continue with business as usual, we will continue to fail the people who need us most.” — Francesca Dobbyn, Executive Director, United Way of Bruce Grey
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