KEEPING YOU INFORMED-AFFORDALE HOUSING

By Maurice Brenner Deputy Mayor/Regional Councillor Ward 1 Pickering The need for affordable housing has never been greater. On November 22nd for those who missed it, was National Housing Day. A day to raise awareness about our housing crisis and growing numbers of persons who are homeless. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? As Homelessness continues to grow, we are reminded of the increasing numbers of those who are one pay cheque away from not being able to afford a roof over their head or put food on the table. Statistics confirm that 49% of Canadians are spending over 50% of their incomes for a roof over their heads which is unsustainable and many in Durham Region face this crisis. WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS? While there is no question that increasing inflationary costs is a factor, and there is a need for upper level governments to find ways to reduce costs, we at the Municipal level can also play a key role through the Planning process. Ontario’s Housing Policy requires Municipalities to meet targets through intensification along Transit Corridors, as members of Council, there are opportunities to incorporate affordable strategies into action by requiring Developers to include in their plans affordable housing ownership through partnerships such as Habitat for Humanities. Other strategies must recognize that there is a need for Rental units including partnership with Durham Region Non-Profit, Durham Region Community Housing and other Social Housing providers. This won’t happen overnight, which is why we also need to be creative when it comes to creating options to help those who are already homeless. Pickering like many Municipalities is currently preparing its Community Safety Wellbeing Plan. Embedded into its work plan is taking on the challenge to find solutions rather than just dealing with the symptoms of homelessness which is why Council supported my resolution directing staff to create a dedicated staff position to lead the Community Safety Wellbeing Plan as well as to establish an Office of Affordability with-in the Planning and Development Department whose mandate will be to assess every application through the affordability lens. As champions for finding solutions to help those who are homeless, Pickering works closely with Community Groups and organizations like DARS, who provides outreach to those who are homeless in Pickering. DARS also provides a weekly lunch program (Wednesdays) in partnership with the Pickering Public Library, shower and hygiene program in partnership with the Chestnut Hill Development Community Centre (Arena) and a new concept of a warming centre that is tied to Health risks rather than temperature. I’m also excited to be working along side with DARS on launching an exciting entrepreneur transitional housing pilot which will be a upcoming feature once its finalized.