From Encampments to Stable Homes: A Community-wide Effort

Across Waterloo, several outdoor encampments exist at any given time. These sites reflect a deeper need for stable housing and coordinated support. The Encampment to Housed project is a new approach designed to meet that need, bringing together multiple agencies and partners to help people transition from encampments into permanent housing.

We are proud to announce that we’ve recently kicked off the program by housing 3 individuals formerly living outside in encampments.

This work is built on a simple idea: the best way to end encampments is by helping people move into safe, stable homes.

The project follows a clear, step-by-step process. Friends of the Family Outreach teams, city staff, and emergency responders first connect with individuals living in encampments, build trust, and assess needs. From there, housing specialists help people search for apartments, complete applications, and connect with landlords. Once housed, ongoing support helps individuals stay stable and work toward long-term independence. Finally, former encampment sites are respectfully cleaned and restored, improving safety and health for the entire community.

What makes this effort especially powerful is its strong network of partners. The City of Waterloo, Friends of the Family, healthcare providers, mental health services, local law enforcement and other community organizations are all working together. Each partner plays a role, creating a coordinated response that no single organization could achieve alone.

The benefits extend far beyond the individuals served. Moving people into housing leads to safer neighborhoods, cleaner public spaces, and more efficient use of community resources. It also strengthens relationships between organizations and builds a more connected, responsive system of care.

With a proven model and strong partnerships in place, the Encampment to Housed project represents an important step forward - one that helps individuals find stability while making the entire community healthier and more resilient.