Amid the ongoing housing crisis, Chatham-Kent municipal and realty officials will hold an open meeting focused on the issue later this month.
The Attainable Market Housing Summit will take place Nov. 29 from 9:30 am to 3 pm at the Chatham Capitol Theatre. The Municipality of Chatham-Kent and the Chatham-Kent Association of Realtors have organized the session together.
A news release from the municipality noted the resale price of homes grew by 123 per cent between December 2018 and September 2022. The issue is affecting households “with the deepest economic needs,” as well and low- to middle-income earners, the release said.
“This sharp increase has made homeownership unfeasible for many residents,” the release said. “In turn, access to market rental units became competitive, reducing vacancy rates to the lowest levels ever seen in Chatham-Kent.”
Amber Pinsonneault, president of the local realtors association, said the organization advocates for home ownership.
“For some families, however, the dream of home ownership remains elusive,” she said in the release. “It is for this reason that we must commit ourselves to provide housing options, as well as home ownership.”
The summit is meant to assist “area stakeholders” in finding ways to address the possible housing issue in rural areas, the release said.
The event will feature sector advocates, builders, planners and financial experts in paneled interviews and discussions to address “systemic and practical” issues in housing and solutions for possible housing in Chatham-Kent.
Admission is free, but registration is required at www.eventbrite.ca/o/municipality-of-chatham-kent-52951744613.