Permanent Supportive Housing
In 2016, the Guelph & Wellington Poverty Elimination Collaborative and the County of Wellington made a strategic decision to co-lead a local initiative under the umbrella of the national 20,000 Homes Campaign (now Built for Zero) to end chronic homelessness in Guelph-Wellington.
Under the banner of Built for Zero, now led by the County of Wellington, our community has made considerable progress on preventing and ending homelessness, but a lack of permanent supportive housing is the biggest barrier to greater impact.
Permanent supportive housing links permanent, affordable housing with flexible, voluntary support services that assist with housing retention and independent living. It is an evidence-based and cost-effective solution for people experiencing homelessness with complex needs, such as: mental illness, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, substance use disorders, and chronic health conditions.
Permanent supportive housing is a critical need for members of our community experiencing homelessness with complex needs.
From Vision to Action: Our Community’s Effort to Create Supportive Housing
In 2019, City of Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie struck a Task Force on Homelessness and Community Safety. As advocated for by the Poverty Elimination Collaborative, the top recommendation for action was permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness with complex needs. A group, including the Poverty Elimination Collaborative, was reconvened in 2020 under the umbrella of the Mayor’s Task Force to discuss how to move forward on this issue.
As part of this work, the Poverty Elimination Collaborative coordinated community efforts to develop an action-oriented plan to meet this critical community need. With the support of the Mayor’s Task Force, community partners and the work of the Poverty Elimination Collaborative, our community reaffirmed its commitment to do what it takes to create permanent supportive housing and end homelessness in Guelph-Wellington.
With widespread community support from all levels of government across party lines, health and housing sector leaders, local funders, community members and key players from the non-profit, public, and private sectors significant progress was made, with cross-sectoral partnerships developed and three new supportive housing projects created.
Learn more about our community’s impact in the: Supportive Housing Impact Snapshot (2024).
10 Shelldale Crescent
To learn more about Kindle Communities‘ 10 Shelldale Cres. supportive housing project visit their website.
Grace Gardens
To learn more about Stepping Stone‘s Grace Gardens supportive housing project visit their website.
Bellevue
To learn more about Wyndham House‘s Bellevue supportive housing project visit their website.
Show your support as part of the YIMBY campaign!
Ending homelessness and addressing the housing crisis is not only the right thing to do, it’s possible when people come together and all levels of government play a role. With the support of YIMBY advocates, we’ve already made real progress in our community.
To learn more and join the YIMBY movement, visit the: Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY) campaign page.
The Home for Good Campaign
The Home for Good Campaign is raising $5 million to build homes for people experiencing homelessness in Guelph and Wellington. Its initial focus was capital investment to build 72 supportive housing units at Grace Gardens, 10 Shelldale Cres. and Bellevue. Now, additional funds are being raised for these projects to cover other essential costs and to create The Home for Good Responsive Fund to support new permanent housing solutions in our community.
The find our more visit: www.homeforgoodgw.ca
