The Chatham-Kent Association of REALTORS® (CKAR) successfully hosted its Housing Affordability Summit on June 22, 2026, bringing together housing professionals, government representatives, industry leaders, and community stakeholders to discuss housing affordability challenges and opportunities affecting Chatham-Kent.
Supported through an Issues Mobilization Grant from the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA), the initiative combined localized public opinion research, stakeholder engagement, and constructive dialogue to advance housing conversations at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels.
As part of the initiative, Nanos Research conducted a survey of Chatham-Kent residents and presented the findings at the summit.
“Overall, residents of Chatham-Kent see the region as a safe and good place to raise a family with a high quality of life. That said, most residents are worried about the next generation’s ability to afford a home and rising property taxes. As a solution, residents support lowering development charges and reducing red tape for building new homes and renovations,” said Nik Nanos, Chief Data Scientist at Nanos Research.
“This initiative is about bringing together credible research and community perspectives to better understand housing issues affecting Chatham-Kent,” said Janice Wieringa, Executive Officer of the Chatham-Kent Association of REALTORS®. “The Housing Affordability Summit provided an opportunity for community leaders, housing professionals, and policymakers to hear the research findings, share perspectives, and engage in meaningful discussion about housing solutions.”
“Housing affordability is not a challenge that any one sector can solve alone,” said Carrie Patrick, President of the Chatham-Kent Association of REALTORS®. “This summit demonstrated the value of bringing REALTORS®, home builders, agricultural leaders, greenhouse growers, government representatives, and community stakeholders together around the same table. Meaningful progress happens when we build relationships, share perspectives, and work collaboratively toward practical solutions that reflect the realities
of our region. Today’s conversations are an important step, but they are only the beginning of an ongoing commitment to advocacy, partnership, and action.”
Discussions throughout the summit focused on housing supply, development approvals, taxation, infrastructure, affordability, and sustainable community growth. Participants emphasized the importance of continued cooperation among industry, government, and community partners, as well as ensuring municipalities have access to the infrastructure and housing funding programs necessary to support growth.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to this important conversation on housing affordability in Chatham-Kent.
Your engagement, participation, and commitment to building relationships and sharing perspectives helped strengthen the dialogue and advance meaningful discussion on housing solutions for our community.
Everyone deserves a place to call home.
Advocacy and impact are fundamental to what REALTORS® do. As trusted local experts, REALTORS® bring real-world market insight to decision-makers and help ensure housing policies are informed by local realities.
The Housing Affordability Summit was not intended to be a single event, but the foundation for ongoing relationship-building and advocacy. CKAR remains committed to working alongside government, industry partners, and community stakeholders to advance practical solutions that support housing affordability, increase housing supply, and strengthen communities throughout Chatham-Kent.
As forward-looking community builders, REALTORS® will continue to champion policies and partnerships that create greater housing opportunities for current and future generations.
About the Chatham-Kent Association of REALTORS®
The Chatham-Kent Association of REALTORS® represents real estate professionals working throughout the Chatham-Kent region. CKAR supports its members through professional development, industry leadership, and community engagement while contributing to conversations that support healthy and sustainable housing markets.
In photo – left to right – Matthew Thornton – Real North Strategies, Associate Minister of Housing MPP Graydon Smith, Dave Depencier – Depencier Builders, John Rumble – Rumble Homes, Carrie Patrick – President of CKAR, Ashley Amato – President-Elect of CKAR, Janice Wieringa – Executive Officer of CKAR, MP Scott Aitchison, MP Dave EPP, MPP Trevor Jones, Nik Nanos – Nanos Research, Carson Warrener – Board Director CKAR
SOURCE, CKAR
To learn more, visit CKAR CHATHAM KENT ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
