Speak Up for Housing
Housing costs are a problem in Perth and Huron. Here’s what you can do:
Our Stories of the Housing Crisis
Our Stories of the Housing Crisis shows how over 700 local households, mostly working families with children, have been affected by rising housing costs. Homeowners suffered from rate hikes, while renters have been trapped by the unaffordable market. Households cut spending on both extras and essentials and tried to earn more, but ultimately many have fallen behind. These Perth-Huron households are ready for this unfair crisis to end, supporting urgent action, and particularly new affordable housing. Featuring dozens of quotes from real Perth-Huron families, Our Stories of the Housing Crisis captures the local experience of this difficult time and urges us to change things.
Housing Unaffordability Fact-Sheet
Our calculations confirm that many Perth-Huron households can’t afford housing.
Workers Need Housing
Emily — Perth County
Victoria — Huron County
Workers Need Housing videos sponsored by Four County Labour Market Planning Board.

Share Local Stories
Hover over or tap the image to view the story.
Share these stories on social media or put up a poster in your community: find the files here.
“When my mortgage comes due, my income will be at its lowest point in a long time. My children could contribute, but how will they ever save for their own future?” - Christine from North Perth
“I moved twice to be closer to my children. Each time, my rent increased. I can’t work myself to death anymore.” - Jeffery from North Perth
“The plans we made years ago for when the kids moved out have gone into the trash.” - Sherri from Stratford
"I have a master’s degree and work full-time in a decent-paying job, but it still isn’t enough for me to move out of my parents’ home." - Matt from Bluewater
“My monthly disability payments don’t go up, but the cost of living still does.” - Jason from Stratford
“I’m 45, making close to $30 an hour, and I can’t afford my own apartment.” - Mike from Stratford
“I got stuck in a terrible apartment because it was the only one I could afford. I live in constant fear of having to move again and not finding something safe and affordable.” - Amandeep from Stratford
“I want to move out with my kids, away from my abusive partner, but the housing cost and everything else is way too much to afford. So we just put up with it.” - Alex from South Huron
“Rent is 50% of our family budget. Me and my family plan to leave Canada.” - Dmitry from South Huron
“We love the town we live in. We do not wish to move away. Unfortunately, we might have to just to find a home we can afford.” - Sam and Sarah from Goderich
“I’m raising my daughter by myself in a one-bedroom apartment, trying to work any overtime I can. Paying off debt is impossible, saving is impossible." - Aidah from St. Marys
“My rent has doubled. I eat less, don’t spend on any extras, and my kids hear ‘no’ to most of their requests. I am extremely stressed by this situation.” - Derrick from Goderich
“My husband passed last year. I can't afford my rent. That means less groceries and less heat.” - Mary from Stratford
“My rent’s going up. I can't buy a home. I’ll be a senior soon, but I can't afford to retire.” - Basil from Central Huron
“I don't make enough money to pay rent, so I have to live in my car right now.” - Steph from Stratford
“We had to sell our home and buy a much less expensive one just to survive. We sold everything, and we are still just getting by.” - Gemi from Central Huron
These comments come from our “Cost of Housing” survey conducted in January 2024.
To preserve the anonymity of survey participants, we have changed identifying details, such as names, and used stock photos.
Petition: Speak Up for Community Housing
Petition Responses
On October 21, 2025, we delivered our Speak Up for Community Housing petition (see below) with 209 responses to Federal Housing Minister Gregor Robertson, Ontario Housing Minister Rob Flack, and our local MPs and MPPs. Here are the responses received so far:
Matthew Rae, MPP | Perth-Wellington John Nater, MP | Perth-Wellington Lisa Thompson, MPP | Huron-BruceSign the Petition
This petition is now closed.
Support Local Initiatives
Many have proposed different solutions to the housing crisis. These include building thousands of new rent-geared-to-income housing units, empowering non-profits to create and maintain affordable housing, and expanding overall housing supply.
Organizations in our community are already working to improve housing affordability. However, they can’t do it without support. Here are some initiatives and how to support them.
[sp_easyaccordion id="10809"]Contact Your Representatives
Our political leaders can make choices that influence housing affordability. You can let them know you want housing to be affordable and that you support them taking action to accomplish that.
You can speak up for housing!
Roles of Different Governments
It’s also important to recognize that different governments do different things. Explore those differences below.
Government Responsibility Cheat Sheet
[sp_easyaccordion id="10811"]How Do I Contact My Representatives?
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