Homelessness and Housing Umbrella Group (HHUG)

Homelessness and Housing Umbrella Group

The Waterloo Region HHUG is a non-partisan group consisting of concerned individuals, including individuals with lived experience, agencies and groups committed to preventing and reducing homelessness in Waterloo Region. Lutherwood acts as our administrative sponsor providing human resources, financial and other supports.

Vision and Goals

Vision

Waterloo Region will be a community where everyone will have access to appropriate housing and support.

Goals

  1. Serve as Waterloo Region’s primary homelessness and housing group functioning as an umbrella and coordinating group for all other community groups working on issues of homelessness and housing in Waterloo Region.
  2. Support our members to undertake education, advocacy and action through:
    • Providing various forums (e.g. meetings, newsletter, workshops, website, listserve etc.) for members to be aware of homelessness and housing activities in the community and to connect and coordinate around activities.
    • Release of an Annual Report Card and Booklet on how we are doing in Waterloo Region in helping people achieve housing stability.
    • Operation of the Housing Stability Training Centre

Please note the HHUG does not provide direct service delivery to people experiencing homelessness or who at-risk of homelessness and does not prioritize external funding proposals or participate in the allocation of external funding.

Leadership - Committee members

The HHUG Steering Committee is comprised of at least 10 people, including representatives from Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and the Townships, members at large and 2 representatives from the Region of Waterloo – 1 from Social Services and one from Housing. At least two Steering Committee members must be self-declared as having lived experience of homelessness and/or living in poverty. 

Report Card

The annual Homelessness and Housing Report Card compares from the previous year to determine how we are doing on supporting people to create housing stability.  

  • The Report Card compares data in four areas:
  • Absolute Homelessness
  • Rental Housing Costs and Income
  • Rental Housing Availability
  • Support to Maintain Housing

Booklet

  • Each year the Report Card is also released with a booklet outlining an issue related to housing stability. The themes have been as follows:
    • 2008- When Bricks and Mortar aren’t enough: Understanding Supports to Maintain Housing
    • 2009- Affordable Housing: Where Income and Housing Meet

Launch

  • The Report Card and Booklet are released annually at a media event. This typically takes place in April or May. 

Ad Hoc Report Card Committee

  • Each year the Report Card and Booklet are prepared by a committee consisting of member community members, steering committee members, service providers and staff from the Region of Waterloo (social planning and housing). 
  • For more information or to download a copy of the Report Cards see the HHUG website at www.hhug.ca

Access

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