WELLINGTON COUNTY – There’s a shortfall of more than 14,000 affordable housing units across Guelph and Wellington County, based on the most current information available, explains a report from the county’s director of housing services.
That’s according to the 2021 census.
While the report from Dave Purdy doesn’t include any specific direction on how to fix the deficit, it suggests an environmental scan to better understand current asking rents, vacancy rates and the number of units available in primary and secondary markets in Wellington-Guelph.
It also recommends more in-depth investigations into the number of rent-subsidised households in the private rental market and/or government-funded affordable housing units and how that has changed over time, in addition to analyzing the needs of those overrepresented in households in need of affordable housing like youth- or women-led households, lone parents, people with disabilities and seniors.
“This additional information would help refine the depth of need in communities by demonstrating the impact of rental supplements on the deficit in affordable housing,” said the report.
Discussing the report at a Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee meeting Wednesday afternoon, most councillors shared disappointment that the report didn’t provide any strategy to rectify the deficit, with others questioning how they can plan for the future as the report uses 2021 numbers.
When asked how much it would cost to build the necessary units, Purdy said it’s unclear and the report is intended to guide local municipalities so they can pursue individual strategies.
Purdy later clarified that these units don’t have to be new, and existing units can be converted.
Committee chair councillor Linda Bussuttil said the county’s reliance on rent subsidies feels like “a finger in the dike,” asking for a more fulsome report on rent subsidies in the future.
“Because at some point, I keep asking, does it make more sense to take the money that’s in rent subsidies and build some affordable, permanent bricks and mortar housing for the community?” said Bussuttil.
Purdy said rent subsidies are considered an efficient way to support low-income households since building new is expensive, in addition to maintaining existing housing.
Going forward, social services administrator Luisa Artuso said they’ll be working with local municipalities to determine how they’d like to bring more affordable housing online in their communities.
“We have about $1.4 million in capital that we can offer … that doesn’t even cover the cost of just getting the plans on the ground,” said Artuso.
“Housing is very much like childcare; we’re relying on the will of for-profit and not-for-profit sectors to come forward and build community housing, collaborate in government-supported affordable housing or build affordable housing much like the City of Guelph is doing.”
A full breakdown of the affordable housing deficit by municipality is available below.
Guelph
Guelph has an affordable housing unit deficit of 8,202.
The report estimates that there are currently 10,250 low and very-low-income households in Guelph, representing 18.1 per cent of all households.
Low and very low-income households are considered those that would need subsidized housing to maintain affordable shelter costs, approximately 30 per cent of their annual income.
There are 2,048 total units of existing community housing, which addresses 20% of the need.
There are 2,433 households on the Centralized Waiting List (CWL) in Guelph. Another 1,476 Guelph households are eligible for the list.
Centre Wellington
Representing approximately 31% of the county’s total population, Centre Wellington has an estimated affordable housing unit deficit of 1,958.
It’s estimated there are 2,200 low and very low-income households in Centre Wellington, which represents 18.4% of all households.
There are a total of 242 units of existing community housing, which fills 11% of the need.
There are 870 households on the CWL in Centre Wellington. Another 168 households are eligible.
Erin
Erin has an estimated deficit of 671 affordable housing units.
It’s estimated there are 727 low and very-low-income households in Erin, representing 17.2% of total households.
There are currently 56 community housing units, which address about 7.7% of the need.
In Erin, there are 252 households on the CWL. Another 28 households are eligible.
Guelph/Eramosa
Guelph/Eramosa has a deficit of 826 affordable housing units.
Representing 17.6% of all households, it’s estimated there are 852 low- and very low-income households in Guelph/Eramosa.
Twenty-six community housing units currently exist in Guelph/Eramosa, accommodating 3.1% of the need.
Guelph/Eramosa has one of the highest median household incomes in Wellington County at $129,000. Renter and individual household incomes are much lower at $50,800 and $68,500.
There are 64 households on the CWL in Guelph/Eramosa. Another 25 are eligible.
Wellington North
Home to the lowest median household incomes in Wellington County, Wellington North has a deficit of 774 affordable housing units.
Households considered low and very-low income come in around 950, representing 19.8% of total households.
Community housing addresses a third of the need with 176 existing units.
Representing the highest percentage of renter households in the county, the report said Wellington North has the highest overall rate of core housing needs and the second highest rate among tenant households.
There are 262 households on the CWL in Wellington North. Another 98 households are eligible.
Mapleton
Mapleton has the lowest affordable housing deficit and needs 478 units.
There is an estimated 503 low and very-low income households in Mapleton, making up 15.5% of all households.
The township has 25 units of existing community housing, which can handle 5% of the need.
Home to the highest percentage of children at 27.1% and couples with children at 45.2% in Wellington County, Mapleton also has the lowest percentage of seniors at 12.3%.
There are 37 households on the CWL in Mapleton. There are another 16 eligible households.
Minto
In Minto, there is a deficit of 521 units of affordable housing.
Representing 19.4 per cent of total households, there are 661 low and very-low income households across Minto.
The existing 140 units of community housing address a third of the current need.
Minto has the second highest rate of low income and percentage of renter households in Wellington County, as well as the lowest overall rate of core housing needs, including tenant households.
There are 402 households on the CWL in Minto. Another 57 households are eligible.
Puslinch
Puslinch has a deficit of 621 units of affordable housing and no existing community housing units.
This represents 21.8 per cent of all households.
Home to the smallest population in Wellington County, Puslinch has the lowest percentage of renter households at 5.3% and the highest median household incomes at $133,000.
Puslinch has the lowest number of children and the highest number of seniors in Wellington County.
Puslinch doesn’t have a CWL.
The full report is available at pub-wellington.escribemeetings.com in the committee agenda.