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Beyond Housing
@beyondhousing-ca.bsky.social
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Beyond Housing provides affordable rental housing for families seniors, and single people with low incomes in Waterloo Region. Our projects are viable, sustainable and include support services for our tenants. beyondhousing.ca
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Since the 1940s, volunteers at Erb Street Mennonite Church have made comforters to support MCC’s work around the world. ❤️

Recently, they made comforters to welcome new tenants at 887 Frederick — with Pastor Chip Bender lending a hand!

See more photos: beyondhousing.ca/2026/09/10/c...
Chip Bender smiles as he hand-ties a yellow and patterned quilt at a quilting frame. Three women smile as they hold up a large pastel floral patchwork quilt they have been working on.
September 10, 2026 at 3:53 PM
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Backpacks, school supplies and a great start to the school year.

Beyond Housing is proud to donate space at our building on David Street in Wellesley for Generations Community Church’s free backpack program. Thanks to our community partners for helping local kids get ready for school.
Backpacks, school supplies and a great start to the school year. Beyond Housing is proud to donate space at David Street in Wellesley for generation Community Church’s free backpack program. Thanks to our community partners for helping local kids get ready for school.
August 28, 2026 at 8:11 PM
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Backpacks, school supplies and a great start to the school year.

Beyond Housing is proud to donate space at David Street for generation Community Church’s free backpack program. Thanks to our community partners in Wellesley for helping local kids get ready for school.
A volunteer from Generations Community Church hands school supplies to children as they choose items from a table.
August 28, 2026 at 8:09 PM
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See what you did? 😊

Join Beyond Housing’s 25th Homecoming Bus Tour on Oct. 3 to visit affordable housing communities across Waterloo Region and see how donors like you have helped create homes for dozens of local families.

Register at bit.ly/beyond-bus-tour
Before-and-after photos of 887 Frederick Street show the site during excavation and the nearly completed four-storey affordable housing building. Text reads, “From this… …to this! See what your support made possible!”
August 27, 2026 at 12:43 PM
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887 Frederick in Kitchener is looking more like home every day! 🏠

Exterior work is nearing completion, while insulation, plumbing, drywall and finishing work move ahead inside.

Thanks to our donors for helping turn these 20 townhouses into affordable homes.

See the latest photos: bit.ly/4fhKhrQ
Wide view of the nearly completed exterior of the townhomes at 887 Frederick Street, with brick, siding, windows and entrance stairs in place.
August 25, 2026 at 12:43 PM
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Thanks to Beyond Housing tenant Dottie Joyce's vision, the City of Kitchener's LoveMyHood program, and the work of tenants and volunteers, the Bridgeport Butterfly Garden is bringing people and pollinators together. 🦋

See the story and more photos: bit.ly/4woWT7Q
Building community on a butterfly’s wings - Beyond Housing
Dozens of butterflies took flight at 544 Bridgeport on July 11, marking a special day for a garden that began with one tenant’s vision.
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July 27, 2026 at 1:04 PM
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Our Board of Directors recently toured the construction site at 887 Frederick St. in Kitchener. Every planks and brick brings us closer to welcoming families home. Thanks to our Board for their leadership and commitment to creating more affordable housing in our community. 🏡
Eight Beyond Housing board members and staff wearing hard hats and high-visibility safety vests pose in front of the partially completed 887 Frederick Street townhomes during a construction site tour. The brick façade, unfinished upper exterior and future entrances are visible behind them. Several Beyond Housing board members wearing hard hats and safety vests stand inside a framed townhouse under construction at 887 Frederick Street while listening to a site update and looking toward the ceiling. Exposed wood framing, electrical wiring and large window openings show the building's progress. A row of partially completed three-storey townhomes at 887 Frederick Street features finished brick on the lower level, installed windows, exterior sheathing, new concrete staircases and balcony overhangs. The photo highlights the significant construction progress on Beyond Housing's affordable housing development.
July 17, 2026 at 6:46 PM
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A piece of history has a new home at 887 Frederick.

This stone once stood at the entrance to the home the Hallman family donated to the project. Now part of our new townhomes, it will be a lasting reminder of their generosity. 💙
A mason wearing a hard hat holds a rectangular stone engraved with the word Hallman. A mason places an engraved Hallman stone into a partially completed red brick wall. Wide view of the four-storey New Beginnings building with dark and light siding, installed windows and unfinished sections of exterior sheathing.
July 14, 2026 at 3:27 PM
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Sometimes you just need to get away from your desk. Here's some of the Beyond Housing crew enjoying a little break on a sunny afternoon in Elmira. Thanks to Dan for treating us to ice cream and to Lori for taking the picture! 🍨☀️
Six Beyond Housing staff members smile around a picnic table outside an ice cream shop, each enjoying an ice cream cone or cup on a warm summer afternoon. A city street intersection is visible in the background.
July 7, 2026 at 7:22 PM
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🇨🇦 Rockway Gardens Village tenants celebrated Canada Day by firing up their new BBQ for the first time! Neighbours enjoyed a shared meal, cake, ice cream sundaes and great conversation. Here's to good food, new friendships and strong communities. ❤️🤍
Two women smile for the camera during a Canada Day celebration at Rockway Gardens Village. One woman is seated at a table while the other stands beside her holding two bowls of ice cream sundaes. Tenants gather around a table during the Canada Day BBQ at Rockway Gardens Village. A woman wearing a red Canada-themed shirt smiles while enjoying lunch as other tenants eat and chat nearby. A tenant smiles while cooking on the new community barbecue on the Rockway Gardens Village patio during the Canada Day BBQ. Raised flower beds and the apartment building are visible in the background.
July 6, 2026 at 3:41 PM
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Happy service anniversary, Karen! 🎉

Since joining Beyond Housing in 2022, Karen has brought compassion, expertise and a patient-centred approach to her role as Community Nurse. Thank you for going beyond housing to help our tenants thrive. We appreciate all you do! 💙
Karen, Beyond Housing's Community Nurse, checks a tenant's blood pressure during a health appointment in the tenant's apartment. The tenant sits at a table while Karen uses a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope to take the reading.
June 29, 2026 at 2:51 PM
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Summer BBQs are back at Rockway! ☀️

Thanks to a partnership between Beyond Housing and Rockway's Social Committee, tenants have a new BBQ for personal use and community meals. Here's to great food, great neighbours and a great summer! 🌭
New four-burner barbecue with the lid open, showing clean cooking grates and warming rack, ready for tenants to use for community meals and personal cooking at Beyond Housing’s Rockway Village Gardens building.
June 26, 2026 at 3:31 PM
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Out-Spok'n XVI raised amore than $175,000—$25,000 over goal! 🚴 Thanks to every rider, volunteer, donor and sponsor for helping create more affordable homes. Read the story: beyondhousing.ca/news-events/...
Three cyclists ride along a sunny section of the Kissing Bridge Trail during Beyond Housing's Out-Spok'n Bike-a-thon, with trees lining both sides of the gravel path. Out-Spok'n Bike-a-thon participants, including adults and children, relax in the shade of a large tree during a rest stop. Several bicycles are parked nearby as the group enjoys a break on a sunny day. A woman walks beside her bicycle while a young child wearing a helmet rides nearby in a parking lot as participants gather before the start of Beyond Housing's Out-Spok'n Bike-a-thon.
June 25, 2026 at 6:45 PM
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Check out this CBC story featuring Martin Buhr and his final Out-Spok'n ride!

Thanks to everyone who supported Martin and helped him raise $500,000 over the past 16 years for affordable housing in Waterloo Region.

#OutSpokn2026 #BuildingTogether #BeyondHousing25

www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
87-year-old raises $500K over lifetime for affordable housing in Waterloo region
The founder of Beyond Housing, formerly known as MennoHomes, is still actively supporting funding for affordable housing. Although he's now retired, 87-year-old Martin Buhr participated in his last bi...
www.cbc.ca
June 19, 2026 at 2:24 PM
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On June 12, MP Tim Louis recognized Martin Buhr's lifetime contributions to affordable housing as founding President of MennoHomes, now Beyond Housing.

Martin, at age 87, completed his final Out-Spok’n Bike-a-thon. Over the years, he has raised more than $500,000 to create safe, affordable homes.
Martin Buhr stands on a paved path in a sunny park, wearing a navy Beyond Housing T-shirt, a beige Beyond Housing cap and glasses. Trees, grass and apartment buildings are visible in the background as he looks toward the camera. Certificate presented by MP Tim Louis recognizing Martin Buhr, Founding President of Beyond Homes (now Beyond Housing), for his lifetime contributions to affordable housing. The framed certificate, dated June 13, 2026, features the coats of arms of Ontario counties surrounding the text and a gold embossed seal.
June 17, 2026 at 1:29 PM
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A warm and windy evening, foil dinners prepared by Sue, ice cream sundaes, and a friendly game of cornhole. Another great night with neighbours at The Foundry.

#AffordableHousing #BuildingCommunity #Elmira
Several tenants sit around a picnic table covered with a red plaid tablecloth, eating foil dinners outdoors beneath leafy trees. Drinks and picnic supplies sit on the table while sunlight filters through the branches overhead. ________________________________________ A tenant throws a washer toward a cornhole board set up on a grassy lawn. Trees provide shade around the play area, while picnic and cookout supplies can be seen nearby. Three tenants sit outdoors in lawn chairs on a sunny afternoon, smiling and watching a game of cornhole during a campfire cookout. Bicycles are parked nearby and the group enjoys conversation and the warm weather.
June 15, 2026 at 3:49 PM
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At 87, Martin Buhr is preparing for his final Out-Spok'n ride. In a new Observer story, he shares why affordable housing matters and why he keeps pedalling for the cause.

There's still time to ride, donate or cheer us on: bit.ly/3PZzbz5

Read the story: bit.ly/4enFjta

#OutSpokn2026
Martin Buhr stands beside his bicycle on a paved path in Victoria Park on a sunny day, with green lawns, mature trees and apartment buildings visible in the background.
June 12, 2026 at 1:55 PM
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For one afternoon, Sprucelawn Apartments for Seniors became a mini Downton Abbey, with tenants sporting
fancy hats as they enjoyed High Tea and celebrated a community leader.

See the story and photos: beyondhousing.ca/2026/06/04/f...

#BeyondHousing25 #AffordableHousing #HighTea
Fascinators and friendship - Beyond Housing
Conne (seated) with members of Sprucelawn’s coffee group High tea honours a neighbour who helped build community at Sprucelawn At Sprucelawn Apartments for Seniors, a recent afternoon tea became somet...
beyondhousing.ca
June 4, 2026 at 3:01 PM
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Thank you to the volunteers from Creekside Church who helped Sprucelawn bloom during #TheBigServe!

Volunteers weeded, mulched and planted flowers, helping keep the property welcoming and beautiful for the seniors who call the building home. 💚

#BeyondHousing #CommunityBuilding
June 3, 2026 at 8:42 PM
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For Martin Buhr, a gift for administration became a lifetime of community-building. At 87, he's preparing for his final Out-Spok'n ride, raising $ for new affordable housing in Elmira.

Read his story: canadianmennonite.org/called-to-ad...

Sponsor his ride: beyondhousing.ca

#OutSpokn2026
Called to Administration – Canadian Mennonite Magazine
canadianmennonite.org
June 2, 2026 at 3:50 PM
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Phyllis, Gloria, and Marlene have been busy packing chocolate gift bags to help celebrate Beyond Housing’s 25th anniversary and promote our bus tour this October. 🎉

Coming to the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale this weekend? Pick one up and learn more!

#BeyondHousing25 #AffordableHousing #NHMRS
Three women sit around a table assembling small giveaway bags for Beyond Housing’s 25th anniversary and bus tour promotion.
May 28, 2026 at 12:57 PM
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Last year’s Out-Spok’n helped build these homes. 🏡

This fall, families will move into New Beginnings on Frederick Street because caring people like you chose to ride and give. 🚲❤️

Join us in Elmira on June 13 and help make more homes happen: bit.ly/4dPmrmD
Frederick Street townhomes under construction, with exterior wrap and window installation visible on the nearly completed building.
May 27, 2026 at 3:55 PM
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More Beyond Housing history....

On May 25, 2020, shortly after the first COVID-19 lockdown lifted, construction began at 544 Bridgeport Rd. in Kitchener. The 48-unit, barrier-free apartment building opened in June 2021.
#BeyondHousing25 #AffordableHousing #WaterlooRegion
Concrete foundation walls and support columns under construction at a Beyond Housing building site, with scaffolding and rebar visible. Construction underway on the future 544 Bridgeport Road apartment building, with exterior framing and insulation visible. Exterior view of the completed 544 Bridgeport Road apartment building on a sunny day.
May 25, 2026 at 4:31 PM
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The cold weather sent last night’s cookout at The Foundry indoors, but the hamburgers were still a hit. 🍔

S’mores became cookies and ice cream instead and tenants spent the evening relaxing and chatting together.

Luckily, community doesn’t depend on the weather!
Two residents serve themselves cookies and ice cream from a dessert table during a community gathering. A smiling resident in a plaid shirt and baseball cap sits at a table during a community social event. Residents sit and talk together around tables during an indoor community social event.
May 21, 2026 at 4:52 PM
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Six years ago, a family that called themselves "Mr. and Mrs. Nobody" was using this exhaust duct for shelter behind St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Kitchener. The congregation responded. In partnership with Indwell the property now includes 41 affordable rental apartments. Well done!
May 15, 2026 at 5:55 PM