Peel is calling on all levels of government to take concerted action now to end the affordable housing crisis

Peel is introducing the HOME advocacy framework to support all levels of government in guiding actions to end the affordable housing crisis.

HOME is built on sector best practices and Peel’s expertise as service manager overseeing the affordable housing and homelessness system. The four HOME principles encourage all levels of government to consider the following when shaping housing policies and programs to end the affordable housing crisis:

• Homes are for living so ensure the use of housing for homes by eliminating speculation and hoarding through policy tools.
• Offer more funding for wraparound supports because housing stability is not just about supply.
• Maximize affordable supply by maintaining existing and building new community and supportive housing because for-profit market supply alone will not solve the housing affordability crisis.
• Expand income and social supports because individuals shouldn’t have to choose between their home and other basic necessities.

HOME is a direct response to the housing pressures Peel is experiencing and is aligned with the Peel Housing and Homelessness Plan. These housing pressures include:

• 91,000 households in core housing need in Peel; and almost half of these require additional supports to remain stably housed
• Regional services cannot meet the needs of 4 out of 5 households needing housing help. Unfortunately, these figures are expected to grow
• Demand for emergency housing (shelters) is nearly 300% of capacity
• Less than 25 cents of every dollar spent on housing supports come from Provincial and Federal governments and Peel's ability to help households in need will shrink without further funding assistance
• Even with the Province of Ontario’s essential new housing targets, there is no for-profit supply-only trickle-down response to the housing affordability crisis that will address the needs of all low- and most moderate-income households
• Ernst & Young estimates that there are approximately 3,000 vacant homes in Peel Region. At a time with limited supply and unprecedented housing costs, every unit matters

There is unprecedented, dire, widespread need for help. Now is the time for action that can have a meaningful impact on the lives of people before the next federal and provincial elections scheduled for 2025 and 2026 respectively.

In the coming weeks and months, Peel’s leadership team will share and discuss the HOME principles with representatives from all levels of government, sector advocates, community partners, and media to raise awareness and guide effective interventions by other levels of government to bring about an end to this affordable housing crisis.

Media contact

Stewart Lazarus 
Communications Specialist 
Region of Peel