United Way Perth-Huron’s Social Research & Planning Council Launches Speak Up For Housing Campaign

by Bob Montgomery

Building on information gathered from the Cost of Housing survey conducted earlier this year, United Way Perth-Huron's Social Research & Planning Council is launching Speak Up for Housing.

Director of Community Impact and Research, Kristin Crane says the campaign highlights the impact of rising housing costs on individuals and families across the region. Crane says they chose people from across the region and from a wide range of demographics. “Whether it's a single person that's young and doesn't have the funds to move away from home to somebody who is hoping to retire, but can't because it's just not affordable or feasible to give up their income, to families with kids and families without kids.” Crane adds people from all economic sectors are being impacted by the rising costs of housing and people have had to sell their homes, take second jobs, and sacrifice their dreams and well-being just to have a place to stay. 

Crane says their goal is to raise awareness of the problem and the impact it's having on so many people. To do that, they're launching a new webpage that focuses on local efforts to make housing more affordable, including United Way’s new United Housing initiative. This page also includes information on what role different levels of government play and how people can contact their local representatives.

Insights from survey participants will be featured prominently on posters in locations across the region, as well as social media posts in September and October. Digital versions of the posters are available on the Speak Up for Housing webpage to share on social media or print and post in workplaces. “Local housing initiatives need support, and we hope this campaign motivates people to let their leaders know they stand behind these projects,” added Crane. “That kind of vocal support can make a tremendous difference on individual lives and the life of the community.”

To read more about the Social Research & Planning Council’s research, visit perthhuron.unitedway.ca/research.