Neighbourhoods

Neighbourhood Improvement Program

I propose creating a dedicated Neighbourhood Improvement Program funded through a portion of the Community Investment Reserve to address these everyday issues quickly and efficiently.

Working alongside Ontario Works, ODSP employment supports, the Work-to-Live Program and other community employment initiatives, participants would have the opportunity to earn income, develop practical skills and contribute directly to improving Welland's neighbourhoods.

This program delivers benefits beyond neighbourhood maintenance. Residents receive faster service. Participants gain valuable employment experience, job skills and references. Neighbourhoods become cleaner, safer and more attractive.

Municipal staff remain focused on major infrastructure projects while dedicated neighbourhood crews respond to the smaller issues residents notice every day.

A stronger community begins with pride in where we live, and every improvement, no matter how small, helps build that pride.

Downtown Living Strategy

Revitalizing downtown begins with people choosing to live there.

Building permit incentives and property tax stability will encourage investment while preserving the character of Welland's established neighbourhoods.

Working alongside Niagara College, I will advocate for more frequent local transit connecting the College with Downtown Welland and surrounding neighbourhoods. Improved transit, combined with revitalized housing, will create additional opportunities for students to live closer to the downtown core.

Increasing the downtown residential population benefits everyone. Students gain access to affordable housing close to transit and amenities. Property owners receive incentives to renovate and invest in older homes. Local businesses benefit from increased foot traffic and year-round customers.

Restaurants, cafés, entertainment venues and cultural attractions gain a larger customer base, helping create a vibrant downtown while strengthening Welland's local economy.

Downtown revitalization is not achieved through one large project. It is achieved by creating a community where people choose to live, invest and build their future.

Affordable & Safe Rental Housing

Welland needs more affordable housing, but we also need better housing.

A new Rental Certification Program, modelled after successful municipal programs, will ensure rental properties continue to meet municipal safety and property standards through inspections every two years.

Landlords who voluntarily offer rents at least 30% below CMHC Average Market Rent to existing Welland residents may qualify for property tax incentives of up to 100% and waived rental certification fees.

The objective is to reward responsible landlords, preserve affordable housing, improve the quality of rental accommodations and reduce the financial pressures that contribute to renovictions.

This program increases housing supply using existing homes while making it more attractive for landlords to provide affordable, long-term rental options.

NEED Community Requests

Residents should not have to wait years for small neighbourhood improvements.

Through NEED (Neighbourhood Engagement & Electronic Democracy), verified households will be able to submit neighbourhood concerns directly through the MyWelland platform.

Whether it is a pothole, traffic concern, park improvement, drainage issue or accessibility barrier, residents will be able to propose ideas, gather support from their neighbours and help shape Council's priorities.

Good ideas should not depend on who you know at City Hall. They should depend on what your community needs.