The Long Road to Housing: Why Community Support is Crucial

By Sara Cumming

Executive Director, Home Suite Hope

Sara Cumming, Executive Director HSH

In a career that bridges education, marginalized populations, and policy expertise, it’s essential to stay attuned to shifting landscapes. In late 2021, as we navigated the ripple effects of the pandemic, it became evident that Home Suite Hope (HSH) needed to act decisively to address the housing crisis—a crisis affecting the most vulnerable members of our community the most.

In June 2022, we took our first public step in this direction with the launch of local real estate agent Callum Wallace's Flight for Hope campaign (https://www.callumwallace.com/flightforhope). Callum set out on a solo flight around the world to raise awareness and funds for affordable housing for HSH. This campaign sparked new conversations about long-term housing solutions, and we began forming partnerships with builders and property managers to secure affordable pricing in new developments.

But these partnerships require more than just goodwill. They demand upfront funding to 'buy into' projects and guarantee long-term affordability. After years of negotiation, we successfully secured five units in Georgetown in 2023. However, construction has yet to begin. In Oakville, we secured one unit with One Urban, where one of our program participants now lives. We’ve negotiated with at least 10 other builders and property managers, but none of those projects have received approval to date.

This slow progress highlights a crucial reality: even when everything aligns, the road to housing is painstakingly long. Not-for-profits rarely have the bandwidth to endure the long game alone. As noted in the Association of Municipalities of Ontario's (AMO) 2025 report, 'Ending Chronic Homelessness in Ontario,' the lack of affordable housing options leaves families trapped in cycles of instability. The report underscores the need for a holistic response, combining government action, community partnerships, and long-term financial support to create lasting change.

At Home Suite Hope, our success lies in outcomes. Close to 100% of our participants leave social assistance and enter the labor market, and over 75% maintain housing stability after completing our programs. Depending on our funding model in any given year, we serve between 25 to 40 families, with Halton Region providing flow-through rental subsidies for 13 families. The rest rely on our fundraising efforts and partnerships to move out of homelessness.

Yet, with every passing year, the economic downturn and increased pressure on publicly funded organizations make it harder to stay afloat, let alone plan for the future. Housing projects take years to materialize, and without consistent community support, these projects may never get off the ground.

The road to bricks and mortar is long, but we remain committed to walking it. We know what works. Our participants thrive when given stable housing and the tools to build self-sufficiency. We need our community to walk with us, to help us push for more funding, more partnerships, and more affordable housing options.

Together, we can build a future where every family has a place to call home.