The recently released Housing Needs Assessment is harsh. We need action. Action takes funding. Our community needs the motion direct funding can provide.

When we remove the many stigmas of the situation, all we are left with is that we have citizens suffering substantial damage through the results of the accident we unintentionally created. Our volatile housing market and the crisis we are currently within.

Though it may be viewed as a currently distinct state from our norm, it needs to not be, and shouldn’t be treated as such any longer. I don’t want this to be the “norm” we use as a point of reference. We can improve it and need to adjust this baseline.

---

"Council wisely chose to vocalize their
​support for the need to act on climate change.
​I very much respect this. I have children.
​They are dependent on our current actions and
​affected by the stagnancy of our response."

---

Full Presentation Video

---

Here's what I suggested:

Two main things: 
1) A permanent budget line titled "Affordable Housing Initiatives Funding" to be placed in the 2020 Kitchener City Budget. 
2) Publicly accessible funding available to be obtained at City level,  in the amount of $5,000,000 over the course of the this is the next 4 years budgets. These to be used for local initiatives to access in response to housing need in support of housing creation. ​

---

Let’s redefine our baseline. Let’s together decide that this is not going to be the City of Kitchener’s “Norm”, that this is an Emergency, and let’s respond.

---

Original Presentation Video Footage From: City Of Kitchener 

(January 13, 2020 Finance & Corporate Services Committee Special Meeting)