The Truth About Social Housing—We Need More Than Talk

Housing isn’t just about shelter—it’s about stability. Until we build real support systems instead of relying on overcrowded shelters, people will keep falling through the cracks.

Good morning, everyone. I want to take a moment to talk about what’s happening with housing—without the usual political spin or vague promises. Just the reality of what I see every day.

More Talk, No Action

There’s been a lot of discussion about affordable housing, but discussion doesn’t put roofs over people’s heads. Policies get announced, reports get published, and yet, nothing changes.

I call it social housing because the people who need it most—those on AISH, those with disabilities, those dealing with barriers most of us never have to think about—aren’t just looking for a cheap apartment. They need housing that provides stability and support. Right now, that doesn’t exist in any meaningful way.

Families Are Living in Overcrowded Apartments

I walk into apartments where 12, 13, and sometimes 14 people are packed into a two-bedroom unit. There’s no space. The kids aren’t in school. There’s little to no food. Stress is through the roof. This isn’t just about having a place to sleep—this kind of living situation makes it impossible for people to rebuild their lives.

Shelters Don’t Solve the Problem

Shelters get presented as a fallback option, but they don’t address what’s really going on. Hope Mission’s program in the West End is a perfect example. It’s one big room divided in half—men on one side, women on the other, sleeping in bunk beds.

There’s no counseling, no real support, nothing to help people get back on track. It’s a stopgap, not a solution. People sleep there at night, then head back out in the morning to try and survive however they can. That’s not how you build stability.

We’ve Lost Critical Community Spaces

It’s not just housing that’s missing—it’s the spaces that used to help people get through the day. Boyle Street Community Center used to be one of those places. A space to warm up, talk to someone who could help, or just exist without being shuffled along. But now it’s gone.

The Katz Group bought out that space and shut it down. Public libraries have become the last safe space for a lot of people, but they were never meant to carry that responsibility alone.

What Needs to Change

We need to stop waiting for change to happen and start making it happen. We need to build actual housing—real, livable spaces where people can find stability. We need drop-in centers that don’t just offer a cup of coffee, but real support. We need shelters that help people move forward instead of keeping them stuck in the same cycle.

This isn’t about handouts or charity—it’s about basic human dignity. Everyone deserves a place where they can feel safe, and until we make that a priority, we’ll keep seeing the same problems over and over.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for standing with me on this. Let’s push for action that actually makes a difference.

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