Mayors’ Housing Partnerships Task Force launches community outreach campaign

BRANTFORD, ON – Earlier this year, Mayor Kevin Davis convened the Mayors' Housing Partnerships Task together with County of Brant Mayor David Bailey, with the mandate of developing partnerships with non-profit, faith-based and private sector stakeholders in the city and county to expedite the Municipal Housing Master Plan by increasing the much-needed development of affordable housing in Brantford and the County of Brant.

Developing affordable housing requires increasing affordable rental housing supply either through new development, re-development or repurposing. It also requires the support of existing rental housing and providing rental subsidies where possible. The supply of homes for ownership can come in varied forms and supporting more affordable home ownership through non-profit efforts can also assist with expanding the city’s and county’s rental housing supply.

Acute need for affordable housing in our community
The acute need for more affordable housing in our community, and the positive impact affordable housing stability has on people’s lives cannot be understated. In October 2019, the City’s Housing Master Plan identified the urgent need for close to one thousand housing units to be built in the next 10 years. At present, over 1,700 households are on the community housing wait list.

If you are a non for profit, faith-based organization or private stakeholder, please connect with the Mayors’ Housing Task Force by contacting Brad Smith, Corporate Initiatives Coordinator at bsmith@brantford.ca or 519-759-4150, ext. 5442.

QUOTES

“I firmly believe that our community thrives when everyone has a safe place to call home. Right now, our city is experiencing an affordable housing crisis and while I am very proud of the City’s efforts to provide support programs and assistance across the housing spectrum, from emergency and supportive shelters, to affordable rental units, we know it’s not enough to meet the current demand; now made even more acute by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.” – Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis

“Whether you live in the City or County, the supply of affordable housing is an issue. Although the County’s needs are different than the City’s, I am optimistic that solutions will be developed and new partnerships with other organizations and stakeholders will be formed.”
– County of Brant Mayor David Bailey

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Media Contact:
Maria Visocchi Director, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | Office: 519.759.4150 Ext. 5754 | mvisocchi@brantford.ca