Two Region of Waterloo affordable housing projects will hire workers who have traditionally been under-represented in construction work.

The pilot project will see women, Indigenous and racialized people, immigrants, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ people, veterans and youth actively recruited to work on the job sites of the two regional housing projects.

The two housing projects are at 416 Kingscourt Dr. in Waterloo and 82 Wilson Ave. in Kitchener.

“We are trying to find people from diversified groups to get into the construction trades,” said Coun. Sean Strickland in an interview.

Regional councillors approved the pilot, called a community benefits/workforce development agreement, at regional council Wednesday night.

The Region is offering up to $100,000 for each tender as an incentive to the contractor to participate in the program, and engage and retain the workers.

“To get into the construction trades, you need support. The committee recognized that to help diversify our labour supply on regional construction projects, the contractor is going need additional supports to make it work,” Strickland said.

Coun. Michael Harris said the cash allowance will “support contractors who take initiatives to hire, to train and to hopefully retain those workers locally on their roster.”

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