Commentary

Orangeville at a crossroads: Our community, our responsibility

October 29, 2026   ·   0 Comments

With the municipal election behind us, a group of concerned citizens feel key issues need addressing, including transit, affordable housing, food insecurity, and social services.

With a constantly growing population, Orangeville is facing a situation where the demand for local resources is exceeding capacity. Long waitlists for affordable housing, increasing food insecurity, and growing needs for mental health services, youth programming, medical care, and addiction recovery raise an important question: Are we doing enough to support the people who call Orangeville home?

Affordable housing and food security

Affordable housing is a problem that plagues many communities, and Orangeville is no exception. With waitlists of four to eight years, rising market prices, and high rental costs, it has become increasingly difficult for the average resident to afford to live in the community they call home.

Dan spent four months sleeping in his car before entering a shelter while waiting for seniors’ housing. Jilly slept in her car before couch surfing for two years while on the Orangeville housing waitlist. These experiences highlight the urgent need for change and raise questions about how we can better address homelessness while increasing access to affordable housing.

The high cost of living also means more people are struggling to feed themselves and their families. Over the last five years, food bank use has skyrocketed, and the stigma associated with asking for help remains a concern. Accessing supports such as the local food bank can be life-changing. No one should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. Having enough food should be a right, not a privilege.

Jilly is grateful for community supports such as the Orangeville Food Bank, the local SPCA, and the HART (Homelessness, Addiction, Recovery, Treatment) Hub. These organizations play an important role in helping residents navigate difficult circumstances and demonstrate why community services must be supported and accessible.

Transit and access to services

As Orangeville grows, our transit system must grow with it. Long wait times and inefficient routes make it difficult for residents to access employment, medical appointments, groceries, and essential services.

Wendy faces challenges getting to bus stops near her seniors’ building. Poor sidewalk maintenance during holidays, a lack of shelters and benches, and inaccessible or inconvenient stops create barriers to reliable transportation. For seniors and residents with mobility challenges, these are not minor inconveniences; they can affect independence and quality of life.

We believe a committee consisting of council members, community advocates, transit users, and operators could develop a comprehensive transit plan that better serves the needs of our community.

Supporting our community

Orangeville has made great strides in ensuring residents have access to social services, but more can be done. Many people are unaware of the resources available to them. Better promotion, stronger partnerships, and continued support for local organizations could help ensure residents know where to turn when they need assistance.

Accountability and the choices ahead

Who does the community hold accountable for deciding where funding goes and how much is allocated to social services?

Municipal council cannot solve every problem alone, but it has an important role in setting priorities, allocating public dollars responsibly, advocating for residents, and working with other levels of government and community organizations.

Signed,

The Mosquitos

(Small but effective)

Readers Comments (0)