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 deeply affordable and 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.

Learn more about supportive housing and community need in our: Information Sheet (June 2020)

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. 

A unreadable page with a purple, yellow and blue flow chart with blue text and multi-coloured images of a group of people. At the top of the page there is a blue logo with a yellow exclamation mark and a purple title that reads Our Collaborative Change Model in Action - Supportive Housing.

Learn more about our community’s impact in the: Supportive Housing Impact Snapshot (2024).

10 Shelldale Crescent

An orange brick 5 floor apartment building with a brown sign that reads 10 Shelldale in white letters. A blue and white unreadable signs hangs on the front entrance.

To learn more about Kindle Communities‘ 10 Shelldale Cres. supportive housing project, a partnership with the Guelph Community Health Centre and Stonehenge Therapeutic Community, visit their website.

Grace Gardens

A grey stone and red sided single story building with the words Grace Gardens in black lettering next to a glass window entrance.

To learn more about Stepping Stone‘s Grace Gardens supportive housing project visit their website.

Bellevue

A beige house with a garage and multiple units on the second floor with green trees on the lawn out front and a stone driveway leading to the garage and front.

To learn more about Wyndham House‘s Bellevue supportive housing project visit their website.

Show your support through the Yes in My Backyard campaign

Ending homelessness and addressing the housing crisis takes all of us. 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.

There is more work to do. Learn more about the YIMBY campaign, take the pledge, and find out how you can help build support for the affordable housing our community needs. Visit the: Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY) campaign.

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