We asked for your top municipal election issues. Here's what you told us

Housing and homelessness are the top issues many people in Waterloo region are thinking about in this municipal election, according to people who filled out an online survey on the CBC Kitchener-Waterloo website.

As of Friday, the survey had more than 300 responses, the majority of them people in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge.

When asked to rank their interest in the municipal election on a scale of one (for not at all interested) to five (very interested), 53 per cent said they were very interested in this election.

As well, 97.8 per cent of the people who took CBC K-W's survey said they planned to vote.

The survey was opened on Aug. 29, and while it is not a scientific survey, it does offer a glimpse into the issues important to people.

One issue that's been raised in the past, including during the most recent term when the Ontario government conducted a municipal governance review of regional municipalities, is amalgamation.

Under amalgamation, there would be just one tier of government, rather than a regional municipality with the cities and townships. Just nine per cent of people who responded to the survey said it was a top issue for them.

CBC K-W hit the streets to talk to people about the municipal election and their top concerns.

Elaine Martin, who owns the Cambridge School of Flowers, said homelessness is her top issue.

"I work right downtown and I live downtown and I know a lot of their names and it's just getting worse instead of better," she said.

"My home is right across from the latest encampment here in Galt and it's not that I don't feel safe, it's just we need to do something about it."

Martin said she saw just how much homelessness grew during the pandemic and knows it's an issue that's not easily dealt with by local councils without some help.

She said she's hired two people who are experiencing homelessness to water the plants in her "allée" beside her shop. She wants to see the next city council work with the region and province to find housing solutions, help people find work and address the need for mental health services in the city.

Isaac Koppeser O'Hearn of Kitchener said he doesn't want to support anyone who doesn't stand up for the rights of people who are LGBTQ.