[homeles_ot-l] Fwd: Help Put Affordable Housing in the Budget!

[Terrie]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Yutaka Dirks (ACTO) <dirksy at lao.on.ca>
Date: 20 January 2011 16:14
Subject: Help Put Affordable Housing in the Budget!
To: "Yutaka Dirks (ACTO)" <dirksy at lao.on.ca>


 It’s time for us to renew the pressure on the provincial government, and to
put adequate resources towards affordable housing.  The Housing Network of
Ontario is hoping to work with community partners across the province to
build a strong campaign in the coming months, and we encourage you to help
us take the first step:
*1. Make a submission to the pre-budget consultations:*

The Ontario Government is inviting people to make comments on what needs to
be addressed in the 2011 budget.  You can add your voice to those calling
for investments in affordable housing by sending a written submission to the
Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs by *5:00 pm on Tuesday,
February 1, 2011*.  Write to the Clerk of the Standing Committee on Finance
and Economic Affairs:
*Sylwia Przezdziecki* *Room 1405, Whitney Block* *Queen’s Park* *Toronto**,
ON  M7A 1A2**
Tel. 416-325-3515 * *sylwia_przezdziecki at ontla.ola.org * * * * *

*K**ey points that we suggest you include in your pre-budget submission:*

   - When the Ontario government released their long-term affordable housing
   strategy on November 30, 2010, they failed to deliver a plan that would
   produce a single new unit of subsidized housing, or meaningfully improve
   housing affordability for low-income Ontarians.
   - Over the last few years, the Affordable Housing Program has averaged
   3,500 new units of affordable housing per year. Ontario should make a
   significant down-payment on a 10-yr affordable housing strategy by providing
   funding for 8,000 - 10,000 new units of affordable housing, responding to
   locally determined needs.
   - Ontario should show leadership by contributing at least the same amount
   of funding as in the previous two years -approximately $45 million - for
   2011 to extend the Affordable Housing Program, matching expected federal
   contributions and commit to this funding annually for the next three years.
   - Much of the existing affordable housing is in serious need of repair
   and significant maintenance.  The government should provide funding and
   other measures to maintain good affordable homes for Ontarians.
   - Ontario should introduce an Ontario Housing Benefit, a monthly benefit
   to make existing rental housing more affordable to low-income Ontarians by
   reducing the gap between high rents and tenant incomes.
   - Public investment in affordable housing is a sound investment that
   creates both long-term and short-term jobs and supports diverse, stable,
   inclusive communities. Affordable homes are the foundation for a prosperous
   province and are part of an economic strategy for a poverty-free Ontario.

*For more information, and to see the Housing Network of Ontario’s response
to the Long-term Affordable Housing Strategy see:*

*www.stableandaffordable.com*





-- 
Terrie ( mocharebyl at gmail.com )
“If you see an injustice being committed, you aren't an observer, you are a
participant.” June Callwood
Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and
renders the present inaccessible.  Maya Angelou
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