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Vital Community Conversation on Housing

January 27, 2026: Housing is a vital community need, but it’s not one that is being met for everyone in Burlington and Halton Region.

Community members, elected officials, and non-profits came together for a Vital Community Conversation to learn about initiatives that are happening inthe local community and how they can take action to support our neighbours in need.

The conversation was the first in the Burlington Community Foundation’s 2026 series, held in collaboration with Burlington Public Library.

Attendees heard from several local charitable organizations working to support
housing needs in different ways. The panel included:

  • Community Development Halton (research and advocacy on housing)
  • Shifra Homes (Halton’s only maternity residence)
  • Wesley (providing services in Hamilton and Burlington, and operating Halton’s only emergency shelter for families in Burlington)
  • Halton Children’s Aid Society (providing transitional housing to young people; supported by a mortgage provided by a partnership of Burlington, Hamilton, and Oakville Community Foundations)

 

Burlington Community Foundation CEO Megan Tregunno also shared about the organization’s new Housing Support Fund, which launched in November 2025 and has provided grants of $25,000 each to Shifra Homes and Wesley. It is now a permanently invested fund that will provide annual grants to charities supporting housing needs.

Below are some highlights shared following small group discussion:

  • Small units that are being built for one person take two incomes. This is a challenge for seniors looking to move into rental housing.
  • Landlords are being picky and this makes getting into housing difficult.
  • When it comes to funding, people want to support a specific thing or grants for new things, but not sustainable funding sources.
  • There are interconnected issues around housing, such as mental health and social needs.
  • Incorrect perception of the housing market where newcomers are blamed, instead of people having additional understanding around housing issues.
  • The issue of NIMBYism (Not in my Backyard) was raised, as well as development and congestion and transit. Better transit is not being provided to alleviate congestion.
  • People with lived experiences need to be at the table when decisions are made about housing.
  • What policies at the provincial level are working against us?
  • There is a continuum of housing (for example: social housing, affordable housing).

 

During question and answer, the issue of NIMBYism was raised again. Participants also discussed how the words and stories people use to talk about these challenges can influence our willingness to be part of the solution. How do we communicate to and educate people who oppose affordable housing? Some suggestions:

  • Social Planning Toronto, a non-profit research and advocacy organization, has developed a resource on how to talk with your neighbours about the housing crisis
  • Share an action step learned at the conversation (see below)

 

Many factors can lead to homelessness, including the housing market, escaping gender-based violence, and the increasing gap between the cost of living and social security benefits (like Ontario Works, which hasn’t increased since 2018).

Actions that people can take to support housing needs:

  • Tell someone something you have learned about housing. What was your a-ha moment?
  • Participate in National Housing Day annually in November. Raise your voice to the entire continuum of housing.
  • Financial support is important, but so is advocacy – adopt your “yes to housing” voice
  • This is an election year: ask candidates about what they are doing to make sure everyone has a home in our community. Not just a shelter, but a home.
  • Give to organizations that support housing needs in the community.

 

The Burlington Community Foundation will be hosting two additional Vital Community Conversations in 2026 at Burlington Public Library branches. These are inspired by the findings of its 2025 Vital Signs Report, presented by FirstOntario Credit Union. Sign up for the Foundation’s newsletter to stay informed when registration opens.


Helpful Links
Charitable Partners:

 

Resources: