Poverty and Housing in Niagara

"Maryellen MacLellan, manager of community programs with Niagara Regional Housing, said there are more than 4,300 households on the Region's affordable housing waiting list.
That adds up to more than 8,000 people. Of those, about 256 households are classified as homeless. Adding to that, just 165 new units are expected to be built over the next two years.
'The need for affordable housing has been quite steady for the last several years,' she said. 'And it still remains quite high.'"St. Catharines Standard - Ontario, CA

After 25 years of being a development consultant, the need remains, as much if not more. No new fully private rentals are being built - only those with capital assistance from government. In the past two years less than 220 new units have been created or are in progress. None were created in the previous 10 years in all of Niagara. If you are single, you can expect to wait 7.5 years in Welland for an apartment.
A good friend argues with me on this saying that rent controls should be eliminated and the problem will resolve itself. The real problem is the relative inequity in the distribution of income. Socialist? No, just trying to remember that everyone should be in the boat.