The United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) has a new 10 Year Housing and Homelessness Action Plan. UCPR council received the plan when it met on Wednesday, January 29 and an executive summary was provided to council by Hannah Behzadi of MNP, the firm which developed the plan in consultation with the UCPR.
The Action Plan is intended as a road map for action, including homelessness and emergency shelter support, transitional and supportive housing, community-based / co-operative housing, affordable rentals, and home ownership. The action plan outlines the strategic action areas whereby the UCPR will focus attention and investment as funding allows.
During the development of the plan, 10 themes were identified through the extensive discussions which took place with municipal stakeholders, social service providers, people who have experienced homelessness, and other members of the public. The 10 themes identify needs involving: affordable housing, supportive housing, housing solutions, access barriers, population growth, collaboration, emergency shelter, municipal disparities, senior’s housing, and action steps.
Behzadi outlined the eight action areas of the plan which are designed to ensure it is implemented. Those action areas are: wrap-around services for those experiencing homelessness, expand transitional and supportive housing options, ensure affordable rents across the UCPR, develop affordable market housing, helping people stay in their homes, helping people buy their first home, leveraging and developing partnerships, and keeping ourselves accountable.
The mayors had various responses to the plan.
“This is a very great, detailed long-term plan,” said Clarence-Rockland Mayor Mario Zanth. However, he said short-term solutions are required for the current housing crisis. He noted that 10 years ago, there were 500 to 600 people waiting for social housing in the UCPR. Currently, there are about 1,300 people waiting.
Director of Social Services and Housing Sylvie Millette said the UCPR hiring a Housing Coordinator is part of a short-term solution which will allow a plan to be developed based on the needs of the population and each municipality.
Zanth asked if there are ways to work with local builders to get more affordable housing built. Behzadi said developers were consulted while developing the plan and the plan includes actions to support working with developers.
Casselman Mayor Geneviève Lajoie said partnering with Habitat for Humanity and Pallet Shelters are short-term solutions she would like to see happen.
Lajoie suggested asking the Housing Coordinator to identify available land and to work with the possible partners.
Hawkesbury Mayor Robert Lefebvre remarked how food insecurity is linked to housing costs. He also noted that more than half of Hawkesbury residents are tenants, and are subject to increasing rent and lack home equity.
Champlain Township Mayor Normand Riopel asked if the plan identifies who pays for housing infrastructure. He does not want to see that responsibility eventually falling to taxpayers. Riopel also inquired about what will happen at the end of the 10-year plan.
Millette said there is no confirmation from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing about what should happen at the conclusion of the plan. She also emphasized there is a difference between affordable housing and community housing, which means the responsibilities for construction and maintenance costs would be shared by public and private parties.
Russell Township Mayor Mike Tarnowski said the strategic actions in the plan make sense, but also is concerned about the additional burden the plan could have upon taxpayers.
