Celebrating the people behind 25 years of affordable housing
On Saturday, October 3, a group of Beyond Housing friends and supporters climbed aboard buses for a tour of our homes and communities across Waterloo Region.
The 25th anniversary tour was a chance to say thank you — and to give supporters an opportunity to see first-hand the difference they have helped make. It was also a chance to tell the bigger Beyond Housing story: how, for 25 years, people and organizations across our community have come together to create affordable homes.
“Beyond Housing is an organization that is very good at finding what everyone is good at — and creating opportunities for them to contribute,” said one guest.
Turning housing into homes
Along the way, guests heard some of the stories behind the 11 locations we passed.
At Rockway Gardens Village, Community Support Worker Sue Martin and Community Nurse Karen spoke about the social and medical supports they offer; crucial services that connect tenants and turn housing into homes.
At 544 Bridgeport, we got a closer look at an apartment building where diverse groups of people have become a community. After coffee, guests were able to wander around the Butterfly Garden, admiring the raspberries and enjoying the sunshine.
In Elmira, we heard about the students who once rolled up their sleeves to help build Beyond Housing homes. A former educator on the tour shared how meaningful that experience had been for the students — and for him personally.
We also visited 887 Frederick Street in Kitchener, due to welcome tenants early next year, and 28 South Street in Elmira, the site of a potential new affordable housing project. Seeing what’s already been accomplished alongside the possibilities ahead made the connection between Beyond Housing’s past and future especially tangible.
Many guests commented that the tour connected pieces of the Beyond Housing story they knew with new and forgotten stories. By the end of the day, they had a fuller picture of what all of us, working together, have accomplished.
Looking ahead
The day ended with a look at what could come next.
Guests heard about an ambitious vision for the next five years, including new housing in Elmira, proposed second phases at 544 Bridgeport and Waterloo Mennonite Homes, and a potential “village” of three new buildings in Kitchener.
Together, these opportunities could more than double Beyond Housing’s capacity.
The buildings we saw on October 3 are important. They provide safe, affordable places for people to call home. But beyond housing, these buildings tell a larger story.
They show what can happen when people see a need, ask “What can I do?” and discover that their contribution — whatever form it takes — can be part of something much bigger.
Beyond Housing’s first 25 years were built that way. With the continued support of our community, the next chapter can be too.
