The inaugural 2024 Growing Niagara Housing Symposium, hosted by the Niagara Association of Realtors (NAR), was a constructive step in the ongoing effort to address housing challenges across the Niagara Region. With a strong turnout from elected officials, municipal planners, administrative staff, and REALTORS®, the Symposium provided a collaborative platform to discuss issues related to housing affordability, development policies, and regional solutions.
The Symposium featured the release of new research conducted by Nanos Research, commissioned by NAR, highlighting housing affordability and cost-of-living concerns among Niagara residents. As the first study of its kind in the region, the poll’s insights are expected to play a key role in shaping future policy discussions.
Highlights of the Nanos Research Poll:
- Housing Affordability Challenges: Niagara residents rated the region’s housing affordability at 4.4 out of 10, underscoring significant concerns. Eighty-nine percent of respondents believe affording a home is more difficult than it was five years ago, with over one-third considering leaving the area in search of more affordable options.
- Support for Streamlined Development: Sixty-two percent of respondents supported harmonizing housing development rules across Niagara’s municipalities to reduce regulatory hurdles and accelerate new home construction.
- Balancing Growth with Heritage Preservation: In St. Catharines, 57% of respondents expressed a desire to balance new development with the preservation of the city’s heritage in the downtown core, reflecting an interest in thoughtful growth that respects historical character.
- Quality of Life: Despite affordability concerns, respondents continue to rate Niagara highly as a place to raise a family (scoring 7.1/10) and as a safe community.
You can view a copy of the research here: Link
While the poll findings provided valuable new insights, it’s important to note that NAR’s 5-point policy platform, aimed at advancing housing affordability, was developed last year by the Niagara Association of Realtors Housing Attainability Taskforce. This Taskforce worked diligently to lay the groundwork for initiatives focused on:
- Harmonizing housing rules across municipalities.
- Ending exclusionary zoning practices.
- Reducing development charges that drive up new home prices.
- Supporting pro-housing policies in local government.
- Collaborating with leaders to prioritize housing attainability.
As a member of this Taskforce, it’s rewarding to see our work continuing to make a difference. The Symposium served as a reminder of the ongoing collaboration needed to create meaningful change, and NAR remains committed to advocating for policies that make Niagara a more accessible, affordable, and thriving region for all. By working together, we can ensure our community remains a vibrant place to live, work, and grow.
Cathy Berkhout-Bosse
