Many people immigrate to Canada in search of a better life, a promise that their children will grow up in a better place. Kim moved to Canada four years ago with a newly formed family in tow. Stratford is where they want to raise their family–it’s an incredible place to grow up.

But things got off to a rocky start. Kim and her husband are well-educated and well-trained—together, they hold several post-secondary degrees. It was difficult for them to find employment in their respective fields, so they opted to pursue jobs outside their chosen professions. They had bills to pay, mouths to feed, and a home to find, an entirely different challenge.

With employment sorted for now, it was on to housing. “I had hoped that there would be a greater range of housing options in Stratford when we moved here,” admitted Kim, “I was surprised by the number of single-family homes.” And after an extended hunt, they found a place for their young family, but Kim didn’t feel it was all that safe for their children.

Kim feels that the lack of housing variety, high costs, and generally low availability results in an unsustainable, precarious housing situation.

With so few options, Kim and her husband had to get creative, inviting relatives in to create a multi-generational household, sharing costs, and allowing them the chance to own a home. And like many newcomers, they brought minimal personal items and scarcely any furniture. Living in a small apartment with a lot of people and little furniture was not the ideal situation for a family starting out.

Despite the family’s challenges, from employment to housing, their resolve is unwavering. These new Stratfordites are committed contributors to their new community. Kim added that “newcomers want to be active citizens who give back to their new community.” The family volunteers their time, planning events to support Stratford families, including neighbourhood children.

Kim’s story is a reminder that we are all in this together, and of the importance of community. As we work to address the housing crisis in our communities, we can look to the experiences of newcomers like Kim and her family as a source of inspiration and hope. By working together and advocating for more attainable and sustainable housing options, we can create a brighter future for all members of our communities, both old and new.