Advocacy
Community Led Housing Campaign
Last updated: Monday July 10, 2023 | Jun 12, 2023
To view the our community housing coalition submission to Council in advance of the July 11 Housing Orientation and Education Workshop, click here.
On June 12, the Guelph Chamber of Commerce released a community request to the City of Guelph to put real priority to a plan of action on Guelph’s housing crisis. There is a complex housing crisis in Guelph, across the housing continuum; from emergency shelter for homeless individuals, to affordable options for low-income individuals, to market rates beyond the reach of many people in our community. This isn’t unique to Guelph. And this isn’t an easy problem to fix. Our observation is that two critical factors need to be in place in order to make progress on this complex problem: 1) Creating a plan with “ownership” of the problem, and 2) The responsibility for action.
To that end, a growing community collaboration from across the housing continuum and beyond have put forward a plan. We ask that the elected leaders and official decision makers of our community do the same. We would note that owning this problem (and its solutions) does not mean paying for it alone. It would include engaging other levels of government as well as public and private sector partners.
For key messages and ways to join the collective advocacy effort, please see below:
- Our July 10th Submission to Council
- July 10th Press Release
- Our June 12, 2023 Letter to the City sent to City of Guelph officials
- The June 12th Media Release shared with local and regional media partners
- Campaign FAQ
- Guelph’s Ward Boundaries and Respective City Councillors
- The growing list of community coalition of supporters
- #bettercantwait #Guelphhousingcrisis
To add you or your business name to the growing list of supporters, please email chamber@guelphchamber.com.
Our sincere thanks to all Chamber members for your commitment to advocate on behalf of local business and our community. If you have any questions or feedback regarding the Chamber’s advocacy agenda on housing, please do not hesitate to contact us.