The United Counties have launched a bold 10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan aimed at ending homelessness in Leeds and Grenville by 2035. The plan focuses on affordable housing, prevention, and person-centred supports.
County staff studied local housing data and found Prescott had the highest low-income rate in 2020 at 17.4 per cent, while North Grenville had the lowest at 5.2 per cent. Renters, who make up 22 per cent of households, face the biggest struggles—more than 35 per cent spend too much on shelter.
Wait times for affordable units are long, with over 14 months for one-bedroom spaces. The counties have already invested in 16 housing projects and hope to do more once council approves the plan.
No provincial funding is in place yet, but applications will follow approval. Edwardsburgh Cardinal Mayor Tory Deschamps said the plan is flexible and can change based on new data and community feedback.
