[homeles_ot-l] Fwd: Housing Network of Ontario: Take action to stop budget cuts!

[Terrie]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Yutaka Dirks (ACTO) <dirksy at lao.on.ca>
Date: 4 April 2012 15:50
Subject: Housing Network of Ontario: Take action to stop budget cuts!
To: "Yutaka Dirks (ACTO)" <dirksy at lao.on.ca>


** ** **

*Speak out against the budget cuts! *

** **

The 2012 Ontario Budget is out of step with the reality facing hundreds of
thousands of Ontarians who struggle with a lack of the healthy, quality,
equitably accessible housing they can afford. ****

** **

**·         **There are 1,301,395 tenant households in ****Ontario**** and
125,000 residents living in housing co-ops; accounting for almost one-third
of our province’s population. ****

**·         **Over 13 percent of households live in poverty in ****Ontario**
** and 627,530 of these households are unable to afford shelter that meets
adequacy, suitability, and affordability norms, placing them in core
housing need. Persons with disabilities, people of colour, single mothers,
Aboriginals and new immigrants are all disproportionately among this
number, and most, but not all of these, are tenants. ****

**·         **Thousands more stay in homeless shelters across **Ontario**;
for instance, in 2010, 22,276 people in **Toronto**, 7,156 people in ****
Ottawa**** and 2,859 people in Waterloo Region had to stay in homeless
shelters.****

** **

And yet the 2012 ****Ontario**** Budget failed to move forward on
constructing new affordable housing or providing a housing benefit to help
people pay the rent. Instead, Finance Minister Duncan tabled a budget that
threatens the ability of Ontarians to keep a roof over their heads: ****

** **

   - The government wants to freeze social assistance rates and delay the
   scheduled increase in the Ontario Child Benefit. ****
   - They also intend to cut the Community Start-up and Maintenance
   Benefit, which helps save the housing of thousands of tenants on social
   assistance each month who are facing eviction. ****
   - The Budget would also get rid of the rental housing building
   inspectors where local government does not provide this service, which will
   result in increased substandard housing in rural and northern communities.
   ****
   - The Budget also includes the fourth consecutive cut to the operating
   budget of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH), a 12%
   reduction from fiscal 2009.  ****

** **

*The Liberal Government and the NDP have asked for our opinion on the
budget. We need to tell them that: *

** **

   - The Community Start-up Benefit should not be cut!****
   - Social assistance rates should not be frozen – people on assistance
   need an increase that will let them keep up with the rising cost of living!
   ****
   - The full Ontario Child Benefit must be implemented now!****
   - Provincial building inspectors must continue to be available to keep
   rural and northern rental homes in good repair!****
   - Reverse the cut to the operating budget of MMAH****

 ****

Answer the Liberals’ survey at:  http://budget2012.questionpro.com/****

 ****

Contact the NDP at: http://www.ondpcaucus.com/yoursay/****

** **

All Ontarians should be able to equitably access housing they can afford,
and supports should be provided to ensure thriving, inclusive communities.
This budget should strengthen the economy, create jobs and support the
construction of new affordable housing. There’s still time for us to
reverse course and ensure that ****Ontario**** moves forward on reducing
poverty and addressing the housing needs of people of all incomes. ****

** **

Housing Network of ****Ontario********

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
'If it is not on the menu  cook it yourself'  Buffy St Marie
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