Niagara Region Hosts Housing Forum to Tackle Local Housing Crisis

March 20, 2025

On March 19, Niagara Region hosted a successful Innovative Ideas for Housing forum in downtown St. Catharines, aimed at fostering innovative solutions to address the region’s ongoing housing crisis. The forum provided a platform for over 100 local representatives from both public and private sectors—including elected officials, Indigenous leaders, local planners and developers, building officials, and financial consultants—to collaborate and explore new strategies for overcoming barriers to housing development.

The event featured four distinguished speakers who traveled from across Canada to share their expertise on critical aspects of the housing development process. Topics included community consultation, property re-zoning, development funding, and construction alternatives.

"The housing challenges facing our communities are complex, and there are no easy solutions. This forum provided participants with valuable insights into the nature of this crisis, its causes, and how it might be addressed. It is evident from the day’s discussions that fresh thinking, fulsome cooperation, and a focus on made-in-Niagara solutions will be key in addressing our current and future housing needs,” said Jim Bradley, Regional Chair.

Following each presentation, attendees participated in a live poll, revealing further opportunities within the industry, such as a shared desire to utilize new technology to help expedite the housing development process.

The forum underscored three key themes:

1. A unified desire for new approaches: A broad cross-section of Niagara is eager to focus on solutions, not just the challenges, facing the housing sector.
2. Infrastructure funding: Innovative strategies for funding infrastructure will be crucial to advancing new housing projects.
3. Streamlining approvals: Participants emphasized the need to simplify and expedite the permit and approval process to reduce delays in construction.

“Today’s forum reaffirmed that by working together—government, industry, and the community—we can find new and effective ways to navigate the complexities of housing development. Niagara is ready for change, and we are committed to taking the necessary steps to move these ideas from discussion to action,” said Ron Tripp, Chief Administrative Officer.

To learn more about the Housing Forum or Niagara Region’s plans for addressing the housing crisis, please contact: attainable.housing@niagararegion.ca.

The Housing Forum featured four distinguished speakers who traveled from across Canada to share their expertise on critical aspects of the housing development process. From left: Michelle MacDonald, PEI; Leith Moore, Toronto; Jason Doerksen, Alberta; and Craig Binning, Toronto.

Media contact

Janine Tessmer, APR
Communications Consultant
Niagara Region
905-401-4882
janine.tessmer@niagararegion.ca