Strategic Plan - Social Sustainability

The City of Niagara Falls works in partnership with the Niagara Region to ensure residents have access to basic needs such as affordable housing, health and mental health care, education, and social services, ensuring that Niagara Falls is a livable, inclusive and supportive community for all.

Objectives

  • Support the development of healthcare services and facilities in the City
  • Enhance community services and facilities
  • Build partnerships to increase the quality and affordability of housing options
  • Promote sustainable growth
  • Address the issue of abandoned and neglected properties
  • Evaluate and update existing incentive programs to align with current community needs and objectives
  • Support the City's State of Emergency on mental health, homelessness, and addiction

Actions

Support the development of the South Niagara Hospital

50% complete | On track

  • Council approved funding in 2023
  • A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the transfer of land is in progress
  • The project team meets regularly to discuss the development of the property

  • Finalization of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
  • Approval of permits in due course
  • On-going project team meetings to discuss the development of the property

Park Street affordable housing development

40% complete | On track

  • Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments approved in January 2025 and December 2025
  • Development moving through site plan process
  • Groundbreaking took place on November 24, 2025

  • Site Plan approval
  • Construction to commence in March 2026, with a 36 month construction period.

Ensure that a hospice is built in Niagara Falls

33% complete | On track

  • Due diligence on a potential site is being taken
  • Niagara Falls Hospice Foundation created
  • Site selection approval
  • Land acquired

  • Secure Provincial Government approvals
  • Launch and advance fundraising efforts
  • Initiate construction

Affordable rental housing CIP

25% complete | On track

  • Consultant Team selected

  • Project startup and community consultation to commence January 2026

Vacant building by-law

50% complete | On track

  • Draft of vacant building by-law out for review; vacant lot building registry out for review

  • Final draft to be circulated in the summer, report and by-law to Council in October/November 2024

Diversity and inclusion plan

50% complete | On track

  • Development of the Diversity and Inclusion Plan to start in 2025 
  • Completion of City’s 1st ever Employee Engagement Survey with various DEI metrics. Survey was conducted in 2023 and will be benchmarked again in 2026.
  • Completed extensive 3rd party audit on all key corporate policies and full implementation of consultant’s recommendations
  • Implementation of mandatory corporate training for all new hires on the following training content [DEI, Anti-Racism, National Truth, and Reconciliation]
  • Development and implementation of a Corporate Policy on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism
  • Coordination of 1st ever Annual DEI Regional Summit [hosted at the Exchange by the City’s DEI Advisory Committee in 2024 and 2025] with keynote speakers
  • Establishment of City’s 1st ever criteria for presenting Community Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards

  • Work on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strategy will begin in 2025 (winter/spring)
  • Benchmark Employee Engagement Survey (inclusive of original DEI metrics) for 2026
  • Hosting of 3rd Annual DEI Regional Summit
  • Presentation of 2nd Annual Community DEI Awards

Youth programming

85% complete | On track

  • The MacBain Community Centre and the Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee (MYAC) offered new programs and opportunities
  • Program hours have been increased for registered programs
  • Drop-in participant totals have increased

  • Continue to monitor and expand programming
  • Develop a partnership program with the YMCA for youth (13 to 15)
  • Continue to develop more diverse youth opportunities

Unhoused response

On track

  • The NF Community Unhoused Action Group, consisting of staff and community resource partners, established bi-weekly meetings to address concerns and provide necessary outreach
  • Council engaged former CAO, Ken Todd to establish an Unhoused Action Plan for Niagara Falls
  • Let’s Talk Community Engagement page launched (closing February 1, 2026)
  • New staff person was hired in late 2025 responsible for Municipal Enforcement & Security. In this portfolio there will be an active approach to collaboration with NRP CORE Unit, Niagara Region and other agencies to address concerns.

  • Ongoing focus on addressing concerns through NF Community Unhoused Action Group
  • Unhoused Action Plan continues to take shape
    • Through further community engagement, including open house and stakeholder workshops
    • Report to City Council expected by mid-2026 

Accessory dwelling unit program

50% complete | On track

  • Approval of Official Plan and zoning amendments through report 2023-061 on October 23, 2023
  • ADU zoning by-law amendments to Council January 2025
  • ADU website rollout

  • Issue request for proposal for backyard house designs in the winter of 2025

Implement Recreation, Culture & Parks plan ten-year plan initiatives (2021-2031)

50% complete | On track

  • Completed short-term MacBain Community Centre programming and staffing initiatives
  • Staff completed various cultural initiatives
  • Continuously implemented short to medium-term initiatives
  • Council approved an update to the plan approved due to significant growth and facilities changes (Niagara Falls Exchange, MacBain Community Centre, and Chippawa Willoughby Arena Development)

  • Implement the mid to long-term RCP plan ten-year initiatives
  • Prepare a third-quarter report for Council to state initiatives that have been completed and progress on mid/long-term initiatives

Opening of the Exchange, Niagara Falls' new arts and culture hub

100% complete

  • The Exchange opened to the public in February 2024
  • Artist studios reached 100% capacity
  • Opened woodshop studio memberships
  • The cafe opened to the public
  • Activities and events held on 236 days in 2025, with a 76% utilization rate

  • Increase the programming and utilization of the Niagara Falls Exchange

Contact Us

City of Niagara Falls
4310 Queen Street
P.O. Box 1023
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5
Canada
905-356-7521
service@niagarafalls.ca