A Balanced Approach to Housing
Housing affordability requires a range of solutions.
Alongside new construction, I support:
- Expanding cooperative housing opportunities.
- Investing in affordable and supportive housing.
- Helping residents remain in their communities throughout every stage of life.
- Working with landlords to improve safety standards while preserving rental housing wherever possible.
- Long-term housing solutions that reduce homelessness rather than relying solely on emergency shelters.
New construction plus preservation
Homeownership plus rental housing
Prevention plus supportive housing
Housing and Homelessness
Homelessness: What will you do to reduce homelessness in the City?
Homelessness in Port Credit and Lakeview is a growing concern, driven by a combination of housing shortages, full shelters, and gaps in mental health and addiction services. I would work with organizations such as A Better Peel and Metamorphosis Network to identify available resources, connect people with food banks and support services, and explore underutilized buildings, including vacant government properties or closed schools, for temporary shelter. These measures must be part of a broader plan that connects people to appropriate supports and creates pathways to stable, long-term housing.
Cost of living: What will you do to make the City more affordable?
I believe Mississauga needs a coordinated, city-wide approach to housing that recognizes the diverse needs of our residents. I would advocate for a dedicated housing department or centralized housing strategy to identify gaps and coordinate solutions for affordable, co-operative, multigenerational, seniors’, veterans’, Indigenous, and supportive housing for people with disabilities.
We should also explore innovative pathways to homeownership, including rent-to-own programs, land-trust models, mortgage assistance for eligible households, and opportunities to assume existing mortgages where feasible. These options could help growing families, single parents, and moderate-income residents access housing.
We must also recognize the housing potential within our existing neighbourhoods. Many empty nesters want to remain in their communities as they age, but may stay in larger homes because suitable, accessible downsizing options are limited. We should explore ways to make it easier to create legal secondary suites, convert suitable homes into multiple units, and connect homeowners with people seeking affordable rooms, while protecting safety and privacy.
By making better use of existing housing and underutilized spaces, alongside responsible new development, we can expand housing options and help more people afford to live and stay in Mississauga. Housing must be planned alongside transit, employment, parks, and essential services so our communities can grow together.
What can our community do about homelessness and encampments?
We need a compassionate, coordinated approach that recognizes the dignity and safety of people experiencing homelessness while addressing the concerns of surrounding residents. I would work with community organizations, service providers, and other levels of government to connect people with shelter, food, mental health services, addiction treatment, and pathways to permanent housing. We should also explore underutilized spaces and existing community resources to expand support while developing sustainable, long-term solutions.
How should municipalities respond to the opioid crisis?
Municipalities have an important role in coordinating public health, emergency services, community organizations, and outreach programs. I would advocate for a balanced approach that combines prevention, education, access to treatment and recovery services, and appropriate enforcement where necessary. Working with experienced organizations can help identify gaps in local services and ensure people struggling with addiction have a realistic path toward recovery, stability, and housing.
What role can local government play in mental health?
Homelessness, mental health, and substance use are closely interconnected, and addressing one without considering the others often leaves people without lasting solutions. Having a safe place to sleep can provide an essential foundation for recovery, while accessible mental health and addiction services can help people regain stability. I would work with organizations such as A Better Peel and Metamorphosis Network to identify existing resources, strengthen partnerships, and improve coordination between housing, food security, mental health, and addiction supports. My goal is to help connect people with the right services at the right time, while building a community where everyone has the opportunity to live safely and with dignity.