York Region is building a better future on National Housing Day and every day
Secure and affordable housing is the foundation of strong, inclusive communities and a critical social determinant of health. In York Region, the demand for affordable housing continues to grow and the need for action has never been greater. National Housing Day takes place every November 22 to acknowledge the critical role of housing in our communities and the work being done to support residents and improve access to housing.
Alongside non-profit and community partners, York Region continues to take bold action to create inclusive communities with a full range of housing options and services to support residents at all ages and stages of their lives. York Region is working collaboratively with local municipalities and the provincial and federal governments to help build a better future where all residents have the housing they need to thrive. Our advocacy to the provincial and federal governments includes calls to commit to a shared funding model and sustained investment in emergency, transitional, affordable and community housing, including operating and capital funding for new builds and repairs to existing stock. We continue to advocate for permanent and increased funding for housing benefits and homelessness prevention programs, alongside stronger coordination to address mental health, substance misuse and housing stability.
Expanding emergency, transitional, affordable and community housing and improving housing stability are key priorities for the Region as outlined in the last 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan, 2024 to 2027 Homelessness Service System Plan, as well as Housing York Inc.’s 2025 to 2028 Strategic Plan, which was approved in June 2025. The next 10-year plan is currently under development and targeted for Council's approval in June 2026.
As York Region’s housing corporation, Housing York Inc. (HYI) plays a key role in advancing the Region’s supply-related priorities. We are preparing to put shovels in the ground for 62 Bayview and Box Grove community housing developments as they each received land use approvals. Together, these community housing developments will create approximately 380 units of new purpose-built rental community housing.
To further enhance affordable housing supply and following a successful pilot in 2023, financial support for the Community Housing Supply Grant Program was extended for 2025. This funding, approved by York Regional Council as part of the 2023 to 2026 Regional Budget, will encourage innovative, locally driven solutions to offer new homes to households in need. York Region also gives funding to community housing providers to address critical repair needs through the Housing Provider Capital Repairs Grant Program to help protect community housing by maintaining the existing stock in a good state of repair for current and future residents.
The lack of affordable housing is a complex problem and coordination and action across all levels of government, housing providers and other partners is needed to develop innovative solutions that help people find and keep housing, address the supply of affordable housing and provide supports to ensure that if and when it occurs – homelessness is a rare, brief and non-recurring event.
Together with our partners, York Region remains committed to working towards the shared goal of strong, caring, safe communities.
To learn more about housing and homelessness actions, visit york.ca/Housing
