The Plan
to End Chronic Homelessness
A shared plan with clear steps and resources to end chronic homelessness in Waterloo Region.
Monthly updates for Waterloo Region
Total people housed forMar 2025
10
Chronic
Non Chronic
Chronic homelessness is defined as experiencing homelessness for a total of at least six months in the past year, or lots of episodes of homelessness over the past three years that total at least 18 months.
Chronic outflow
23
Chronic inflow
28
Our housing system has become progressively more unstable
When constraints are not addressed
Our foundation becomes shaky
Until it can't withstand its own weight and comes crashing down
"Housing is both a human right and a speculative commodity from which to extract wealth. Therein lies the crux of the housing problem. Until we fully reconcile these contradictory roles that housing plays, we will be in a perpetual state of crisis."
—(Doucet, Mcdougall and Jay 2023) (LE Prototyping Cohort, 2024)
It's time to build a stronger system.
The data we collect have real life stories behind the numbers.
View the researchOur goal
Help us reach functional zero by 2030
Functional zero is when a community has ended homelessness for a group of people. This means there are no people without a home, or just a very small number, like 3 people or less than 1 out of 1,000. The community also has enough housing and support to help anyone who needs it. To count as functional zero, the community must keep numbers this low for three months in a row.
Together with our community partners, we have a plan to end chronic homelessness in Waterloo Region.
Learn about The PlanMeet the Co-Creators
Many of us worked on this plan together. Meet the people who helped make it happen.
See all Co-CreatorsEmily Johnson
Program Coordinator overseeing transitional housing programs. Focused on wraparound services and long-term housing stability.
David Thompson
Mental Health Support Worker providing crisis intervention and counseling services. Committed to trauma-informed care approaches.
Robert Williams
Case Manager with expertise in benefits navigation and income support. Helping clients access resources for sustainable housing solutions.
Lisa Park
Community Liaison building partnerships between service providers and community organizations. Working to strengthen the support network.
Marcus Chen
Outreach Worker specializing in street outreach and emergency shelter services. Dedicated to building trust and connections with vulnerable populations.
Robert Williams
Case Manager with expertise in benefits navigation and income support. Helping clients access resources for sustainable housing solutions.
Amira Hassan
Youth Services Coordinator specializing in programs for youth experiencing homelessness. Advocate for early intervention and prevention strategies.
Priya Sharma
Indigenous Services Support Worker providing culturally appropriate services and advocacy. Connecting clients with traditional healing resources.
Sara Escobar
Sara Escobar has been in Social Justice Work for 25 years and is currently a member of the Waterloo Region Drug Action Team and is also the Community Development Worker at the YWCA Cambridge Women’s Emergency Shelter.