An event held at the main branch of the Kitchener Public Library on Friday was strategically held before National Housing Day.
It featured panel discussions with housing and homelessness advocates and experts in the field, with the theme this year being Housing Heroes.
In fact, several of those heroes were honoured at an award ceremony. Regional Chair, Karen Redman, delivered the opening remarks, where she mentioned a couple of projects nearing completion.
“While there is still lots to be done, the region’s investments in affordable housing are making progress. For example, we’re looking forward to welcoming new Waterloo Region Housing tenants in early 2026 at 420 Kings Court Dr. in Waterloo and 82 Wilson Ave. in Kitchener.”
The projects are part of the Region’s Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, which was approved by council in April 2024.
Redman took some time to tout the plan and its progress so far.
“In just a couple of years, we’ve already seen significant impact on the community because of this plan. This includes new rent supplements, workforce stabilization and increased investment in equity-owned groups.”
Redman also highlighted efforts to support unhoused veterans.
“The Region’s Ending Veteran Homelessness initiative is supported with more than $3 million in funding, as it has recently been announced by the Government of Canada. So, thank you, Government of Canada. This will help deliver wraparound supports designed to help veterans find and maintain housing and exit experiences of homelessness.”
The award winners include:
- The Christine Wilson Whitehouse, Outstanding Housing Community Worker Award: Veronica Jimenez Munoz
- The Colin Plant, Kindred Spirit Award: Marjory Knight
- The Lynn Macaulay, Exceptional Housing and Homelessness Community Educator Award: David Alton
- The Sybil Frenette, Visionary Housing Creator Award: Stephanie Goertz
- The Exceptional Rental Housing Community Leader Award: Angie-Lee Corture
- The Outstanding Community and Affordable Housing Provider Award: Grassroots Response to the Ukrainian Crisis
- The Extraordinary Landlord of the Year Award: Barbra Bitzner
- The Small Newcomer Landlord Award: Avisekh Ghosh & Sataruap Ghosh, Onder Özsever
- The Large Newcomer Landlord Award: Cory DeVillers, Karen Martin
- The Not-For-Profit Newcomer Landlord Award: Union Co-operative Sustainable Development – Sean Campbell
Canada recognizes National Housing Day each Nov. 22. The Region of Waterloo started marking the day in 2002.
