Ontario Construction News staff writer
Guelph is supporting construction of a new supportive housing development that officials say will help the city become the first mid-sized community in Canada to end chronic youth homelessness by 2026.
Wyndham House will receive a $320,000 vacant unit renewal grant, funded by the federal Housing Accelerator Fund. The money will help create three units with space for 10 youth at 109 Waterloo Ave., part of Wyndham House’s Welcome 2 Waterloo housing initiative.
“Even one youth without a home is one too many. We are proud to support Wyndham House’s development at 109 Waterloo Avenue, which will help Guelph become the first mid-sized city to end chronic youth homelessness by 2026,” Mayor Cam Guthrie said in the announcement.
Construction is underway at the site, where Wyndham House is building supportive housing with 24/7 wraparound care and on-site health services. Additional transitional housing at 107 Waterloo Ave. will offer three apartments for youth preparing to move into permanent housing.
Chronic youth homelessness in Guelph and Wellington has dropped by 76 per cent over the past three years, a decline the city says highlights the importance of early intervention and housing stability supports.
Kristen Cairney, executive director of Wyndham House, said the project reflects what can be achieved when the community works toward a common goal.
“These new homes will be truly transformative for young people in Guelph, giving youth a stable foundation and the wraparound care they need to reach their full potential,” she said.
Youth are expected to move in by fall 2026. At that point, the city says Guelph will reach “functional zero,” a benchmark meaning the community can house new cases of youth homelessness as they arise.
Funding is still available through the city’s affordable housing community improvement plan, one of several actions in Guelph’s 10-year housing affordability strategy.