Kawartha Lakes advances efforts to tackle housing crisis

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: At its meeting, on Tuesday, June 24th, Kawartha Lakes City Council received a sobering but hopeful update, on local efforts to address housing insecurity and homelessness.

Michelle Corley, Housing Manager for the City, and Jesse Donaldson, Executive Vice President of Strategic Services with HelpSeeker Technologies, delivered a joint presentation, highlighting the urgent need for system-wide improvements and long-term planning.

“We’re seeing rising housing insecurity and homelessness in our community, and it’s more visible than ever,” said Ms. Corley. “People are living in tents, in their cars, or overcrowded homes. The current system has gaps, and it’s clear we need a more consistent and strategic approach.”

The presentation outlined key areas of concern, including rising rents, poor housing conditions, and a lack of coordinated support services. Surveys and interviews revealed many residents are struggling to find stable, affordable housing, with the community increasingly calling for lasting, systemic solutions, not short-term fixes.

Kawartha Lakes is in the process of updating its 10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan, with a new strategy expected in the autumn. According to Ms. Donaldson, the updated plan will set strategic priorities, guide resource allocations, and include long-term financial planning to meet both operational and capital needs.

“This is about building a more effective, accountable system which can respond to the complexity of housing need,” Ms. Donaldson explained. “We’re concentrating our efforts where they’re needed most, helping people before they hit crisis, and supporting those already experiencing homelessness.”

While some factors lie beyond municipal control, such as inflation and interest rates, Ms. Corley emphasized, the city can still make a meaningful impact. “We have the ability to improve local programs, services, and housing options,” she said. “With better planning and clearer decision-making, we can reduce homelessness and help build a more stable future for all residents.”

Council received the presentation as presented, marking a key step toward the autumn release of the new Housing and Homelessness Strategy.