FAQs

A Housing Needs Assessment is an in-depth report informed by data and research that describes a community’s current housing stock and future housing needs including tenure (rent/own) and affordability.

The housing continuum describes a range of housing options available to help individuals across different demographic groups access housing. It is a common standard that municipalities use to understand available housing options in a municipality.

Housing types can and often do look similar along many areas of the continuum. For example, a semi-detached home or an apartment could be owned or rented at market rates or it could be financially subsidized making it more affordable.

The Housing Strategy will focus on market rental and home ownership, subsidized/affordable housing (rental and /or ownership), and long-term assisted/supportive housing (i.e. seniors assisted living and supervised care homes). 

The Housing Strategy will not include emergency shelters and transitional/short term supportive housing. The City's social programming, including the mobile Community Outreach Program and collaboration in the Winter Emergency Response, will continue to assist individuals who are unsheltered, at risk of being unsheltered, or experiencing multiple barriers to well-being.