WELLINGTON COUNTY – The County of Wellington is investigating how to open up more social housing for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.
At a Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee meeting Wednesday afternoon, Social Services Administrator Luisa Artuso said staff are in talks with Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis to create a dedicated plan to house those with Special Priority Status on the county's centralized social housing waiting list (CWL).
A report on the CWL said priority access is given to social housing applicants on the CWL whose personal or family's safety is considered to be at risk because of abuse by an individual they live with or have lived with within the past three months. The same option is available for those who are currently being trafficked or have exited human trafficking within three months.
As of August 31, there were 137 households with eligible Special Priority Status on the CWL. In 2023, approximately 80 applicants were housed off the CWL with Special Priority Status.
There is currently an average wait time of up to one year for individuals with Special Priority Status seeking housing in Wellington County and the City of Guelph.
According to Artuso, the waitlist was about three to six months before the pandemic and it's only been in the last couple of years that they've seen wait times increase to one year.
Interim Director of Housing Services Paul Skinner said the wait times have increased because while the status gives priority, units are only allocated when they become available.
Skinner said the CWL currently shows a "significant need" for single-bedroom and large-family housing but that due to "a low turnover rate" there's a need for all unit types.
An update detailing the existing need and resources for the proposed plan is anticipated to come to the committee in early 2025.
Artuso said the proposed plan will likely require capital and operating budget increases.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
