Haldimand and Norfolk Housing and Homelessness Project
(Draft Recommendations for Review by Voices Unlimited)
As part of a community wide consultation on housing and homelessness undertaken in 2003, draft recommendations have been developed by the Community Alliance to Promote Homeness (CAPH) for the consideration of governments and area community groups. The following recommendations require comment from Voices Unlimited:
1) Increasing Personal Income
The provincial government should immediately increase Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) benefits and the minimum wage to a level that allows reasonable, decent housing.
It is recommended that CAPH committee and other local groups (e.g. Poverty Awareness Task Force, Dunnville Poverty Coalition) meet with larger groups from across the province to demand a formal review of OW, ODSP benefits and the minimum wage.
Provide credit counselling before it (financial problems) happens. Encourage REACH to maintain current credit counselling program and to expand the service further into the community.
Develop more preventive programs and teach the meaning and implications of credit at an early stage in life (example: in the schools).
Establish one access point for people to investigate all of the programs aimed at maintaining and renovating dwellings to avoid deterioration and loss.
Expand and continue the rent/ utilities bank and discuss different ways that utilities providers can work with low-income families on bill payments.
2) Defining Affordable Housing
It is recommended that the Counties of Haldimand and Norfolk adopt the following definition of affordable housing:
Affordable Housing means housing that would have a market price or rent that would be affordable to those households within the lowest 35 percent of the income distribution (35th percentile) for the Counties of Haldimand and Norfolk.
Housing that is affordable to households of low and moderate income is defined as follows:
Affordable Rental Housing is housing where monthly rental costs (excluding utilities) do not exceed 30% of tenant gross monthly household income.
Affordable Ownership Housing is housing where monthly housing expenses (including mortgage principle, interest and property tax but excluding insurance and utilities expenses) do not exceed 30% of gross monthly income.
3) Build More Affordable Housing
Examine opportunities for more affordable housing in downtown core areas.
Explore ways to encourage home ownership. Work with banks and other lenders to offer stable mortgage rates, low or no down payments and rent-to-own.
The government should provide matching dollars to landlords to help them maintain and repair units to keep them safe and of good quality.
The government should provide funds and expertise to convert buildings to homes by using existing buildings, donated lands and tax-sale properties.
Request government lotteries to re-direct proceeds to community projects that will build new homes, especially for those at greatest risk of homelessness (e.g. group homes, supportive housing, co-ops)
4) Public Education and Community Awareness
Encourage community groups like CAPH, REACH, etc., to compile studies from various agencies and present to municipal councillors and other politicians. Provide anecdotal statements from participants of the Homelessness and Affordable Housing Research Study.
Talk to reporters, editors, radio personalities, and TV stations to increase media exposure – public awareness of problems promotes more caring and action. Constantly publicize housing problems to keep them in the public’s mind.
Governments should make available more brochures on peoples’ rights and obligations around housing.
5) Build New Community Partnerships
Establish a central dispatch for agency vans that transport clients. Build more incentive for volunteer drivers.
The Health and Social Services Department, in partnership with a local social club, could provide self-defense courses for women, available year-round and free of charge.
Explore possible new business opportunities that provide employment and also serve low-income people in the community, like gas co-ops, group purchase of insurance, trading labour or goods for transportation and other services. Help established social organizations to cut costs and employ some low-income people.