Residents in St. Thomas, Ontario, have until April 15, 2026, to share their thoughts on a new 10-year plan designed to tackle local housing needs and homelessness. The draft plan, titled On Track, outlines how the city and Elgin County will manage housing challenges through 2036.
According to St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services, a household now needs an annual income of about $70,000 to afford the average market rent in the city. The region currently has about 100,000 residents but is expected to grow to 130,000 over the next decade. This growth is partly due to the new $7 billion PowerCo Canada battery plant, which is the largest of its kind in the country.
The city has seen some success recently, with homelessness occurrences dropping by 6.5 per cent in 2025. However, the waitlist for social and affordable housing has more than doubled since 2020, with roughly 1,800 households now waiting for a spot. The new strategy focuses on four main areas: ending homelessness, keeping existing housing stable, building more homes, and working together as a community.
People can give their feedback through an online form or attend a public open house on April 8, 2026. The meeting takes place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Social Services Building at 230 Talbot Street. The final plan will be sent to the province by May 29, 2026, to meet provincial rules that require every community to have an up-to-date housing strategy.
