November 7th, 2023
Join us and many others who are fighting for affordable, accessible living spaces
In September our executive director, Al Mills, and a person we support appeared before the City of Kitchener Council, asking the council to pass a motion that urges Ontario to raise the amount a person receives on Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). The ODSP rate increase advocacy motion passed unanimously, and can be read here:
ODSP Final Motion_09_2023_Amended
You can also view the meeting’s recording here:
Council Meeting Minutes – September 25, 2023
The motion presented and approved, the video of the meeting, countless media reports and Waterloo Region Community Foundation’s recent Vital Report on Affordable Housing continue to draw attention to how strong the need is for affordable, accessible housing. And yet, when push comes to shove, many will wait years for somewhere suitable to live.
“The monthly deficit between living expenses and the Ontario Disability Support Program is $680 per month. The government provides incentives to developers to build affordable housing which is completely out of reach for people with disabilities,” Mills shared in the WRCF Vital Report on Affordable Housing.
EAFWR is keenly aware that every person we support needs a place to live. It is a real struggle trying to help them find somewhere to live that is within their means. disheartening to know there are so few options for accessible and affordable places to live in Waterloo Region.
It’s commendable that the Region is investing in 500 new affordable units per year, through 2025. Unfortunately this will not meet the demands of people currently on the waitlist. Each day, the waitlist grows.
EAFWR, along with other community organizations, groups and residents of Waterloo Region continue to advocate for access to affordable, accessible housing. With the near constant increase in costs of everything from rent to groceries and medication, there are people in our community who have to choose between paying rent and purchasing medication and food.
Housing is a human right. Join us and many others who are fighting for affordable, accessible living spaces.