Community Development Halton Blog

Halton Region has one of the highest rental markets in Ontario [1] . But what is often overlooked is how different the market treats new renters compared with long-term renters. A new study form Statistics Canada confirms a pattern seen across the country: “Renters who recently moved into their unit face significantly higher shelter costs than renters who have lived in their homes for many years” [2] . This pattern holds even after adjusting for housing type, building age, in

Choosing a Road Forward By Ashley I did not spend much time on the street. I couch surfed with friends for a bit and then ended up in the shelter. Back in 2019, it was coed, half female and half male. It was not a good time. The staff were tough and always seemed to be looking for a reason to kick you out. One time, I was sitting on the couch, and someone asked me to pass a bottle of vitamin C, and they tried to kick me out for that. Not long after that, COVID came. I actuall

Connections between renting, and plans to buy, and well-being A 2025 study by Anthony Piscitelli, entitled, " Clustering Ontario Renters" gives us a nuanced look at the diverse landscape of renters in Ontario, and it is relevant for understanding housing challenges in places like Halton Region. The research challenges stereotypes that paint renters as a monolithic group. Through survey data and rigor factor and cluster analysis, the research identifies five distinct renter-t

For those that care about housing equity, 2025 has been a year that’s impossible to ignore Many wonder about the roots of the housing crisis. This past year, several pieces of Ontario legislation have been introduced, and often passed, with lightning speed. Bills 5, 6, 10, 17, and now 60 each have their own red flags. Together, they paint a picture of a provincial direction that leans heavily toward criminalization, deregulation, and top-down authority. Below is a breakdown

Illustration depicting one of the encampment sites visited July 2025. Other details provided reflect what peers shared while we searched...

Beginning with a conversation between community partners in early 2024, our project aimed to connect with people across Halton Region who...

Halton municipalities are making moves towards increasing housing supply This image shows different housing types to consider for low and...

Community organizations call for the province to Rescind Bill 6 Picture taken of an encampment in Burlington ( Source ) On April 30,...

On April 23rd, Community Development Halton partnered with Food for Life and Open Doors to host an event called Eat Think Vote. About 60...

On a cold, rainy Saturday in March about 50 people gathered to connect with and learn from stories about houselessness and the experience...

by Rishia Burke National Right to Housing Forum Report for Halton Fueled by the housing crisis, several community partners gathered...