[homeles_ot-l] FW: Ontario government gives housing dollars with one hand, takes away more with the other

[Lynne Browne]

Here in Ontario, we are in the middle of a Consultation to develop an
Affordable Housing Strategy so this new funding information is indeed
disturbing news, especially for those in greatest need. 

 

Please act on this new information from the Wellesley Institute. It's time
to let the Premier Dalton McGuinty know what you think of this decision to
cut rather than increase funding for affordable housing! 

*	The Premier's email is: dmcguinty.mpp.co at liberal.ola.org . 

And copy local MPPs:

*	Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing:
<mailto:jwatson.mpp at liberal.ola.org> jwatson.mpp at liberal.ola.org
*	Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Service:
<mailto:mmeilleur.mpp.co at liberal.ola.org> mmeilleur.mpp.co at liberal.ola.org
*	Yasir Naqvi :  <mailto:ynaqvi.mpp at liberal.ola.org>
ynaqvi.mpp at liberal.ola.org
*	Phil McNeely:  <mailto:pmcneely.mpp at liberal.ola.org>
pmcneely.mpp at liberal.ola.org
*	Lisa MacLeod:  <mailto:lisa.macleod at pc.ola.org>
lisa.macleod at pc.ola.org

 

Lynne Browne

Coordinator, Alliance to End Homelessness (ATEH)

147 Besserer St., 2nd Floor, Ottawa, ON K1N 6A7

613-241-7913, ext. 205

www.endhomelessnessottawa.ca <http://www.endhomelessnessottawa.ca/> 

  _____  

From: hhno-on-owner at povnet.org [mailto:hhno-on-owner at povnet.org] On Behalf
Of Michael Shapcott
Sent: October 24, 2009 10:55 AM
To: Michael Shapcott
Subject: [hhno-on] WI backgrounder: Ontario government gives housing dollars
with one hand, takes away more with the other

The Ontario government is "helping" households across the province cope with
deep and persistent housing insecurity and homelessness by making a big 7%
($52.1 million) cut to spending at the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs
and Housing, according to the province's fall
<http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/budget/fallstatement/2009/paper_all.pdf>
economic account. Over the past four years, MAH has seen its annual
operating funding cut by $222.4 million (that's almost a quarter of a
billion dollars) - adding up to a painfully deep 24% cut since fiscal 2005.
Over the past four years, the cumulative spending cuts at MAH add up to
$657.1 million. This is enough to finance the construction of  more than
4,380 new affordable homes.

A new analysis by the Wellesley Institute shows that when it comes to
housing, the Ontario government is giving with one hand, but taking away
more with the other. According to the government's official
<http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/budget/estimates/2009-10/volume1/MMAH.pdf>
spending estimates, the biggest cuts at the MAH this year will be in the
affordable housing program - $38.9 million. In particular, the social
housing program - which assists some of the poorest households - will take
almost all of the spending cuts. Fully 29 of Ontario's 33 ministries will
get funding increases in the current fiscal year, according to the economic
statement. Only four - finance; northern development, mines, forestry; board
of internal economy; and municipal affairs and housing - are taking
financial cuts.

Government officials say that:

*	The massive operating funding cuts at MAH are offset by one-time
spending including $100 million in fiscal 2007 for social housing repairs;
and $585.3 million in the current fiscal year to match federal government
housing spending. 
*	But those one-time initiatives were supposed to supplement existing
spending, not replace current dollars. 
*	If the Ontario government had maintained MAH spending at $926
million (the level in fiscal 2005) over the past four years, there would be
a cumulative total of $657.1 million more than the actual amount spent by
the ministry over those years. 
*	That cumulative cut outpaces the one-time amounts added to the
ministry - which means less money overall.

 

-          Michael

 

***

 

Michael Shapcott | Director, Affordable Housing and Social Innovation |
Wellesley Institute 

45 Charles St E, Suite 101                    Tel: 416.972.1010 ext 231
Toronto, ON, Canada,  M4Y 1S2           Mobile: 416.605.8316  
E-mail:   michael at wellesleyinstitute.com

 

www.wellesleyinstitute.com

rigorous research. pragmatic policy solutions. social innovation. community
action.

 

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