In this episode of the Home Suite Home Podcast, Jeff is joined by Kendra Fry, Housing Specialist with Invest Stratford. Together, they dive into the realities of housing needs in Stratford and the broader region, exploring the barriers, opportunities, and the vital role that collaboration plays in creating real solutions.
Kendra shares her unique journey from the world of theatre to housing advocacy, bringing a creative and community-minded perspective to her role. With experience reimagining spaces like churches for community benefit, Kendra brings both practical and innovative insights into how local assets can be leveraged to serve the public good — whether through arts hubs, food security initiatives, or housing projects.
This conversation highlights:
• The biggest housing challenges in Stratford today: including the mismatch between existing housing stock (many large, older homes) and current demand (primarily one- and two-person households), as well as the pressing affordability gap.
• The importance of affordable and deeply affordable housing: why building new units is only part of the answer, and why cost-accessible housing is crucial for workers, seniors, young people, and families alike.
• Community partnerships in action: how local volunteers, businesses, and organizations are stepping up with time, materials, and financial support to address housing needs — and why these partnerships are essential for long-term sustainability.
• Stories of hope and impact: from new projects starting to take shape, to grassroots efforts like the Connection Centre at St. Paul’s, serving the community’s most vulnerable with meals and support every day.
Kendra also emphasizes the need for broad community buy-in, reminding us that solving the housing crisis requires neighborhoods, businesses, local government, and ordinary citizens to work together. She paints a vision of what a holistic, inclusive community looks like: one where seniors, newcomers, workers, and artists all have a place to live, contribute, and thrive.
At Home Suite Home Affordable Housing, we believe housing is never just about bricks and mortar. It’s about people, dignity, and belonging. This episode underscores that truth and shows how community-driven solutions can help close the gap for those who might otherwise be left behind.
Whether you’re a policy-maker, business owner, volunteer, or concerned citizen, this conversation will give you a deeper understanding of the challenges and possibilities in the housing sector — and inspire you to see the role you can play in the solution.
Listen in as we learn from Kendra Fry about the heart, the hurdles, and the hope behind housing work in Stratford and beyond.
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Website: https://homesuitehome.org
