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
For more information, or to set up an interview with:
The Poverty Task Force encourages its members and the broader community to question their local candidates on current issues. With a deepening food insecurity and housing crisis happening we are looking for bold action from every political party leading up to the federal election on April 28th.
Canadian Public Health Association: calls on the next federal government to invest in strategies and programs that support strong healthy people in Canada regardless of their economic and social status. CPHA has created a series of factsheets based on the social determinants of health and they have analyzed how the federal political parties stack up in their understanding of public health and investing in disease prevention, health protection and health promotion. Election 2025 | Canadian Public Health Association
National Right to Housing Network (NHRN): is urging candidates from all parties to recognize that the housing and homelessness crisis and the climate emergency are deeply interconnected, and that approaching both as “stark violations” of human rights will be critical to solving them. Housing, Homelessness Intertwine with Climate, Housing Rights Network Says
Housing and Homelessness: The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, the Canadian Real Estate Association, Habitat for Humanity and the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association have come together to release a new policy platform that outlines how their next government can both respond to the immediate housing crisis and build resiliency for the future. That plan is called ‘Housing Canada: A Sovereign Plan to Protect Canadians and Build a Resilient Housing System.’
Community Food Centre Canada: has launched a No More Scraps campaignnomorescraps.ca. Their website includes a campaign kit with lots of ideas and tools to help engage with community and candidates in discussions around food insecurity and poverty; a video to use in discussions, a digital letter organizations can send to candidates in your riding, along with statistics on poverty and food insecurity for every federal riding. Organizations may endorse their open letter to party leaders demanding action on food insecurity and help us get it out through your networks. Organizations can sign-on up to April 9th at 5pm (ET).
Food Secure Canada: has launched its Eat Think Vote campaign that puts food issues on the table during the federal election via community-hosted events with candidates. This non-partisan campaign brings community members and federal candidates together to discuss Canada’s most pressing food issues. Local organizations or individuals are invited to host events in their electoral districts, inviting all candidates and community members to participate in direct dialogue. https://www.eatthinkvote.ca
Oral Health: The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a significant new oral health care program that makes dental care more affordable for low and middle-income Canadians who do not have private insurance. When fully implemented in 2025 the program is expected to improve oral health for an estimated 9 million Canadians. Canadian Dental Care Plan – Canada.ca. Voice your support for the Canadian Dental Care Plan to your federal candidate. OOHA – OAPHD
Facts and All Candidate Debates
Election Day is Monday, April 28th 2025
Elections Canada offices are open across the country. You can vote early at any of them by Tuesday, April 22, 6 p.m. Find the Elections Canada office nearest you.
Grey County perspective to AMO Report: Grey County is experiencing similar trends to other rural communities across the province. Locally, in 2024, Grey County identified 375 individuals experiencing homelessness. Of these individuals, 65 identify as Indigenous, 80 are children 15 and under, and 45 are youth ages 16-24. Adults account for 252 of the individuals and seniors (65+) 8. 253 of individuals are experiencing chronic homelessness. Grey County also provides subsidized housing and maintains a housing waitlist. The waitlist has grown from 1,517 in 2022 to 2,230 in 2024. Providing a Grey County perspective to the AMO Municipalities Under Pressure Report | Grey County
Knowing our Numbers Report: A December 2023 Statistics Canada survey found that while childcare is getting more affordable for parents, accessing it is more challenging. More than 60% of parents wanting childcare report difficulties finding it, up from 53% in 2019. As a result, roughly one in three respondents say they had to change their work or study schedules, take on fewer working hours, or delay their return to work. More than 60% of parents wanting child care report difficulties finding it, up from 53% in 2019. bgdisc.ca/post/counties-of-bruce-and-grey-knowing-our-numbers-report
Please let us know what you are doing in your community!
At our March Food Security Action Group meeting, Simona Freiberg shared their latest numbers and documentation from the Grey Bruce Community Garden Network.
In a world that often emphasizes individual success, the true strength of a community lies in its togetherness. Community gardens serve as a beautiful testament to the power of collaboration, fostering food security, wellness, and shared purpose. They are not just about growing food; they are about growing relationships, resilience, and hope.
Food Security Through Community Effort
Food security means having reliable access to sufficient, nutritious food. In community gardens, members take an active role in ensuring this security, cultivating fruits, vegetables, and herbs that nourish both body and spirit. Growing our own food fosters independence while reinforcing interdependence—when a neighbor needs support, the community is there to help. Watch this inspiring video on community gardening in Grey Bruce: Community Gardens Video
The Role of Each Member
Each person who participates in a community garden plays a vital role. Whether it’s planting, watering, harvesting, or sharing knowledge, every contribution strengthens the collective wellness of the group. In these shared spaces, the emphasis is on cooperation rather than competition. Unlike the isolation of individualism, community gardens promote unity, showing that we are always stronger together.
Healing Through Growth and Sharing
The act of planting and harvesting is deeply therapeutic. Gardening has been shown to reduce stress, improve mental health, and create a sense of fulfillment. The joy of watching seeds turn into nourishment reflects the potential for transformation—not just in the soil, but within our communities. Sharing the harvest further deepens the sense of belonging, reinforcing the idea that no one should go hungry when abundance exists within our collective hands.
Join the Movement: 2025 Garden Educational Workshops
To continue this journey of empowerment and sustainability, we invite you to take part in their 2025 Garden Educational Workshops. These workshops will offer hands-on learning experiences for both beginners and seasoned gardeners, covering topics such as soil health, sustainable practices, and efficient food production.
Together, we can cultivate a future where food security is a shared responsibility and our communities thrive through the bonds we build in the garden. For more details, contact Simona at simifreiberg@gmail.com.
Get Involved with the Community Garden Network
To further support and expand the impact of community gardens, explore the Grey Bruce Community Garden Network through The Sustainability Project. This initiative connects individuals and organizations, fostering knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and sustainability in community gardening efforts.
Please feel free to contact Simona with any questions, thoughts, or ideas you may have for Community Gardens. If you are interested in gathering some seeds for gardening, please reach out as there are plenty to share. If your organization is interested in starting a garden, Simona is always happy to share knowledge and collaborate when possible.
Community Foundation Grey Bruce Grant deadline is April 15, 2025.
Community Grants are an opportunity to support new or expanding projects and programs that improve the community vitality of Grey and Bruce Counties. Applications from eligible community service organizations of up to $5,000 will be considered. Applicants must either have a registered charitable number or be sponsored by an organization that is a CRA qualified done within Grey or Bruce County. Contact the office at 519-371-7203 to ensure your project is eligible for funding before filling out an application form or email foundation@cfgb.ca Criteria for Granting- https://cfgb.ca/grants/community/criteria/https://www.communityfoundationgreybruce.com/grants/community
Robin Cork, Food Security Action Group Chair and Food Coordinator, United Way of Bruce Grey
