Helping homeless people in the Region of Peel obtain affordable housing and helping those at-risk hold onto their accommodations are the themes of a series of programs and proposals reviewed by General Committee on April 12, 2001. Reports were presented to Regional General Committee with recommendations ranging from helping homeless and at-risk youth to pursuing opportunities with the federal government to build more social housing. The supply of rental housing is dramatically outstripping the demand, leaving many families in crisis.
Many complex factors contribute to the housing crisis in Peel.
Rents are as much as doubling as units turn over. Tax policies and other incentives that would have encouraged private rental market development have been eliminated and older rental stock has been converted to condominiums and sold. More than 25,000 people are moving to Peel each year. A staggering 28,400 rental units will be required for Peel's growing older adult population by 2021. A work group comprised of Regional staff, community and faith groups are finalizing plans for development of a family transitional project.