Huron County, Ontario – Over the past year, the Huron County Immigration Partnership has worked with consultant Dr. Rana Telfah to better understand the housing experiences of newcomers to Canada in the region. Through five focus group discussions involving 40 participants in Goderich, Listowel, St. Marys, and Exeter, the project gathered valuable insights into the realities newcomers face when seeking housing in small and rural communities.
The findings revealed that while newcomers enjoy the safety and sense of community found in smaller towns, they often struggle with challenges such as housing affordability, limited availability, and a lack of public transportation. Many newcomers rely on personal networks and social media to find housing, and housing needs are often closely linked with access to employment. Large families and people fleeing war and resettling in Huron and Perth often struggle the most when trying to find adequate housing.
Now, the Immigration Partnership is inviting the public to join the next phase of the project: a series of community conversations designed to share what was learned and identify local solutions.
Upcoming community conversation dates and locations:
- July 22, 6–8 PM – Goderich Library, 52 Montreal St., Goderich
- July 29, 6–8 PM – St. Marys Library, 15 Church St. N., St. Marys
- August 7, 6–8 PM – North Perth Library, 260 Main St. W., Listowel
- August 14, 6–8 PM – Exeter Library, 330 Main St. S., Exeter
“These sessions are a chance for residents, service providers, newcomers, and local leaders to come together and talk about how we can build more welcoming and supportive housing in our communities,” said Mark Nonkes, manager of the Huron County Immigration Partnership. “Everyone is welcome, and every voice matters.”
Refreshments will be provided. Advance registration is encouraged: https://forms.office.com/r/Vd31WJre9c
To read the full report, visit: https://www.huroncounty.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Newcomer-Experiences-Of-Housing-Huron-Perth.pdf
About the Huron County Immigration Partnership:
Established in 2010, the Huron County Immigration Partnership works with dozens of community partners, service providers and immigrants to ensure Huron County is a welcoming community where newcomers to Canada feel supported, at home, and integrated in all spheres of their life. It is funded with support from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
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