Housing Plans and Studies

These plans must include:

• An assessment of current and future housing needs

• Objectives and targets to address these needs

• Actions proposed to meet the objectives and targets

• A description of how progress will be measured

• Local Plans must consider:

• Public and stakeholder consultation during development

• A local housing vision that aligns with provincial interests

• The full range of housing needs - from homelessness to homeownership

• Coordination among local planning processes (e.g., land use, social services, infrastructure)

The Ontario Housing Policy Statement further requires that Plans be coordinated across all municipalities in the service area, including the six local townships and the County level.

Why this plan matters

Under the Housing Services Act, Service Managers are required to create, implement and monitor Local Housing and Homelessness Plans. These Plans ensure that communities:

• Understand their changing housing needs

• Respond with evidence‑based programs and services

• Support collaboration across municipal and community partners

Since 2000, the City of Cornwall has served as the Consolidated Municipal Service Manager (CMSM) for the City of Cornwall and the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SDG). This role includes coordinating and supporting a broad range of housing programs, services and strategies to meet local needs.

Homeless Enumeration

Homeless enumeration is a count of people experiencing homelessness in Cornwall, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. It collects basic information to help our community better understand local needs and improve services. You can view the past results online:

• 2021 Enumeration Results

• 2018 Enumeration Results

Enumeration helps identify:

• How many people are experiencing homelessness

• Where people are staying (unsheltered, sheltered, temporarily housed)

• Basic characteristics and circumstances of participants

• Urgent needs and barriers to stable housing

Types of Homelessness Counted:

• Unsheltered – living outdoors or in places not meant for habitation

• Emergency Sheltered – staying in emergency shelters or VAW shelters

• Provisionally Accommodated – temporary or unstable arrangements such as

• Staying with friends or family (“couch-surfing”)

• Short-term rentals like motels or rooming houses

• Transitional housing or institutions when discharge will result in homelessness

Why it’s important

The information collected helps the community:

• Understand the extent and nature of homelessness

• Strengthen programs and supports

• Plan actions to prevent and reduce homelessness

Background

Ontario requires Service Managers to conduct homelessness enumeration every two years under the Housing Services Act. As the designated Service Manager, the Cornwall SDG Human Services Department conducts enumeration for Cornwall as well as Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.

Housing Needs Assessment

The Housing Needs Assessment helps us understand local housing needs and gaps based on evidence. The federal government is committed to using these assessments to address housing needs nationwide. These assessments help all levels of government understand community housing needs and how they connect to infrastructure priorities. They also help determine the type and location of housing needed, supporting systematic planning for both current and future needs.

This assessment helps a community answer questions like:

• Where does the greatest housing need exist in our community?

• How can we set meaningful housing targets and measure progress to support the right housing for all residents?

• How much housing, of what size, and at what price point is needed so all households can live in suitable, adequate, and affordable housing?

The assessment helps us to plan and build housing more effectively to meet our residents’ needs, while ensuring transparency and accountability.

Community Housing Development Plan

The Community Housing Development Plan helps the City of Cornwall build new community housing on sites across the region. The plan presents a realistic, step-by-step approach to developing affordable housing on seven different land parcels in Cornwall and SDG.

Main goals of the plan:

• Create a vision for new community housing on each site that balances good design with practicality.

• Calculate housing capacity and costs for each site’s development concept

• Provide an implementation strategy covering development approach, funding and scheduling

• Highlight remaining gaps especially the need for more development land

Housing Revitalization Plan

The Housing Revitalization Plan identified a need for 995 new affordable homes (updated in 2023) over ten years. It includes a review of the community housing stock, along with an evaluation of housing needs across the entire Cornwall SDG service area. The Community Housing Development Plan responds to that need by providing a roadmap to be implemented over ten years.