[homeles_ot-l] Stop #2 - 6 Stop Tour of Affordable Housing for MPPs-media release

Wed Jun 2 10:40:05 EDT 2010

FYI: This is a media release that was sent out last week. Stay tuned this month for more MPP Affordable Housing Tours in Ottawa.

From: Eugene Williams
Sent: May 27, 2010 11:12 AM
To: Eugene Williams
Subject: Stop #2 - 6 Stop Tour of Affordable Housing for MPPs-media release

Media Release & Invitation: Sent on behalf of the Co-chairs of the Ottawa Branch of the Housing Network of Ontario

[cid:image003.jpg at 01CB023F.F6C657A0]

The Housing Network of Ontario (HNO), Ottawa Branch

Immediate RELEASE May 27, 2010
Stop 2 - the Affordable Housing Tour in Ottawa South
CEO Of Ottawa Community Housing Says Long Term Investments in Affordable Housing Needed
On May 28th, Stop 2 of the Affordable Housing Tour visits Ottawa Community Housing's Woodland and Cahill Communities. The Woodland and Cahill Communities are in Premier McGuinty's Ottawa South riding. The Ottawa Branch of the Housing Network of Ontario is organizing this tour with six local housing providers throughout the city to provide an opportunity for Premier McGuinty and area MPPs to visit some of Ottawa's existing affordable housing for families, youth, and single adults in different parts of the city.
"During our first tour at Ken Steele Court, a Gloucester Housing Corporation community, we were thrilled that Ottawa Orleans MPP Phil McNeely expressed his support for the HNO Ontario 5 Tests for Success report," says Eugene Williams, Co-Chair of the Ottawa Branch of the Housing Network of Ontario. "Our community needs every MPP in the Ottawa region to be an active champion of affordable housing and MPP Phil McNeely is clearly one of those champions", says Williams. At the tour, Mr. McNeely expressed his support for the hard work that Gloucester Housing Corporation does for the Ottawa-Orleans area and the important support  it gives to families in need.
Ottawa's affordable housing advocates stress that creating new affordable housing stimulates the economy and promotes economic prosperity, as does investing in social capital. Mr. Williams points out that, "Supporting the community's capacity to develop affordable housing helps drive economic growth and reforming housing legislation will build healthy and sustainable communities."

Tour Stop 2 - MAY 28th , 10 am-11am - In Premier McGuinty's Ottawa South Riding
Location: Woodland and Cahill Communities (Ottawa Community Housing) in Ottawa South
                  Corner of Cahill Drive and Patola Private  -  Parking is available on side streets
                      Light refreshments will be available

Jo-Anne Poirier, Ottawa Community Housing's CEO will lead the tour.

"A number of our communities have benefited from the recent financial investment senior governments have made in social housing.  One-time investments are definitely welcome but long-term sustainable funding is essential to effectively build new affordable homes and properly maintain social housing stock." says Jo-Anne Poirier, CEO of Ottawa Community Housing Corporation.

Up Next On The 6-Stop Tour-
We are organizing 4 more tours that will take place in the ridings of Ottawa-Vanier, West-Nepean, Ottawa-Centre, and Nepean-Carleton. All stops are on Fridays 10-11 am in May and June; media releases for each stop will be sent.
Mr. Williams explained the timing of the 6 Stop Tour, "The Housing Network of Ontario wants to see a strong foundation for Ontario's future in a Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy.  We will be urging MPPs to adopt and act on it right away once it is tabled in June. We'll assess the strategy using HNO's 5 Tests for Success, which are based on what we heard people say in our community as well as in others across Ontario during the province's consultation last year."

Highlights from the 5 Tests for Success (More details in the attached 2 page flyer) -

 1.  Bold targets and sustained funding - with annual funding to build 10,000 affordable homes a year and for ongoing maintenance;
 2.  A solid measuring stick - Systematically reducing the number of households on the wait list for affordable housing in all regions of Ontario;
 3.  Accountability - Annual public reporting on progress under a full-time Minister of Housing
 4.  Make housing truly affordable and accessible - A new Housing Benefit to close the gap between high rents and low-income; a plan that works for marginalized communities that also has Legislative changes to better protect tenants and to promote affordable housing;
 5.  Reform housing legislation to build stronger communities with a fair appeals process for housing providers and tenants; adds vacant units to those now covered by rent regulation guidelines; allows municipalities to introduce inclusionary housing policies; and has the power to expropriate abandoned properties for affordable housing conversion."

- 30 -

Watch for media releases about each tour stop.

For comments:

§ Ottawa Branch Co-Chairs of The Housing Network of Ontario: Eugene Williams and Jenn Wilks
         Arrange through Eugene Williams                  Cell - 613-791-5174

§ Ottawa Community Housing Corporation:  Manager, Corporate Communications
         Arrange through Susan Therien               Cell - 613-296-2651

Photo's of Gloucester Housing Corporation Tour Included as Attachment

Housing Network of Ontario Online Hub www.stableandaffordable.com

Eugene Williams
Co-Chair: Housing Network of Ontario - Ottawa Branch
(W) 613-238-8210

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