COMMUNITY NEWS Brantford and Brant County Address Affordable Housing Challenges, Seek Increased Funding

“The current wait times for community housing will decrease when a number of new buildings under construction become ready for occupancy. These include: a 49-unit development at 170 Trillium Way in Paris.” ~ Mary Musson, the director of housing and homelessness in Brantford

By Chris Whelan

At the February 7th Social Services Committee meeting, jointly conducted by the County of Brant and Brantford, council members engaged in a comprehensive discussion on the state of affordable housing. While acknowledging the progress made in reducing the waiting list, they emphasized the need for further action to address homelessness and housing issues in the County of Brant and the City of Brantford.

Encouragingly, the supply-demand issue has shown signs of improvement. In 2023, a recordbreaking number of 225 families were successfully housed, marking the highest figure in five years. Additionally, applications for affordable housing have reached the lowest level in half a decade, indicating positive trends in the local housing market.

However, the council remains acutely aware that homelessness and housing challenges continue to plague the region. To combat these issues, they are determined to pursue more effective solutions for both communities.

Important statistics from 2022 shed light on the housing situation in the area. A total of 1,041 new applications were submitted for local rent-geared-to-income housing, with 44 percent of these applications coming from families, 37 percent from singles or couples, and 19 percent from seniors. Currently, 1,214 households are on the waitlist for housing, with 74 percent residing in Brantford or Brant County and the remaining 26 percent from outside the immediate area.

The wait time for community housing varies according to applicant demographics Nonsenior applicants without dependents face the longest wait, estimated at eight to 12 years Families with dependents can expect to wait three to seven years, while seniors aged 60 and older have a wait time of two to four years.

Rent-geared-to-income rent typically amounts to 30 percent of a household's monthly income. For those receiving social assistance, the rent is determined based on the shelter benefit set by the Ontario government

Mary Musson, the director of housing and homelessness in Brantford, highlighted the pressing need for affordable housing in her report. She cited rising home prices and rental costs as contributing factors that fuel the demand for accessible housing options Additionally, fewer households are vacating rentgeared-to-income units due to financial constraints, resulting in a reduced number of subsidized housing offers.

To address the housing crisis, eligible households can apply for any rent-geared-to-income units in Brantford and Brant County, as well as rent supplement units provided by private landlords. In some cases, applicants can choose to remain in their current residence and receive a temporary rent allowance if their landlord agrees to enter an agreement with the city.