(Final Version, June 2006)

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has completed a Housing Needs Assessment and Strategy, also referred to as a Housing Study, to identify the range of housing needs facing the Municipality and suggested strategies to address those needs. 
The Housing Study was completed in two phases. 

Phase one is the Housing Needs Assessment (Needs Assessment). 
This Phase is a comprehensive review of the current and projected housing needs in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.  The Needs Assessment builds upon existing information and provides analysis of Chatham-Kent’s complete housing continuum including current and projected trends in housing demand and supply over the short and longer term.  (Phase one comprises Sections 1 through 9 of the Housing Study.)

Phase two is the comprehensive Housing Strategy. 
This component of the project includes a focus on innovative approaches to housing supply and in particular the development of options that may be implemented to meet the area’s housing needs as identified in the Needs Assessment.  (Phase two comprises Sections 10 through 13)

Chatham-Kent Council received the Housing Study at their July 24th, 2006 regular meeting.  The document contains 57 recommendations, which are grouped around four broad housing directions: (1) Housing Choices; (2) Housing Affordability; (3) Housing Quality, and (4) Housing Supports and Services.  Administration has been directed to come back to Council with an Implementation Plan for dealing with each of the 57 recommendations.

This project was jointly led by the Planning Services and Social Housing Divisions of the Municipality and facilitated by SHS Inc., a private consultant with expertise in preparing housing studies.  The success of such a large undertaking, however, is really pinned to the community agencies, groups and private individuals that took the time to contribute to the project.  The Project Steering Committee consisted of 15 private, public and non-profit sector representatives and almost another 90 representatives of housing, or housing related organizations participated in interviews and/or surveys.  As well, two well-attended public Focus Group meetings were held and valuable input was received.

It was a real community effort in gathering and sharing information on all forms of housing in Chatham-Kent, as well as coming up with the 57 recommendations in the report.  We encourage community stakeholders with an interest in housing in Chatham-Kent to access and use the information contained in this Housing Study.

For further information, please contact cksocialhousing@chatham-kent.ca or call 519-351-8573.