CambridgeToday received the following letter from Philip Mills, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region.
The Waterloo Region has long been a hub of innovation, setting us apart in our unique approach. From the era of BlackBerry to the rise of startups and incubators, we have consistently embraced a distinctive mindset, and it's a characteristic that our community should take pride in. Our willingness to be different, take risks, and foster innovation defines us.
Lately, I've noticed that the same dynamic energy and historical spirit are converging within our community, but this time, it's focused on housing. The launch of BUILD NOW Waterloo Region last year marked a collective effort of experts and dedicated community members aiming to construct 10,000 homes.
Across the Region, our local cities are actively engaging in inclusionary zoning, utilizing their tools to ensure housing affordability through zoning policies. On top of inclusionary zoning, Kitchener and Waterloo, for instance, is in the process of crafting zoning amendments to make four units a standard on residential properties, encouraging gentle intensification and innovative approaches to increase housing availability.
Recently, the City of Cambridge explored the concept of building housing over municipal parking lots, a project that preserves the parking space while utilizing the airspace above for housing. The housing landscape is evolving rapidly, and this is a welcome development in response to the pressing need.
Recent reports indicate a decline in housing starts, a trend that has been observed for some time. In a period when the demand for housing is higher than ever, we are witnessing a decrease in starts. The market is telling us that the way we've done this will not get us out of this situation. This calls for innovation, creativity, and bold action like never before.
Regrettably, despite our rich history and the urgent need, housing remains a formidable challenge. Even before delving into the complexities, barriers, and opportunities associated with a project like housing over parking, it stopped before it ever really got started with a council vote to investigate the idea failing.
Building over a parking lot is not a panacea, just as allowing four units on residential property or implementing inclusionary zoning isn't. However, we must explore and consider every available option. Innovation deserves recognition and support; let the best ideas prevail so we can focus on the crucial task of addressing housing challenges.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution; we all understand that. It took years of intricate factors to bring us here, and it will require years of diverse ideas to chart a way out. As a community of innovators with a history of leading change, we must harness that identity once again for the cause of housing.
Philip Mills
CEO, Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region
