The Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) reported earlier this month that waiting lists for social housing in Ontario jumped almost ten percent in just one year.
Almost 142,000 households are currently on these lists in Ontario. According to ONPHA Executive Director Sharad Kerur this represents the most significant increase since the organization has been collecting the data. (The full report can be found at www.onpha.on.ca)
In Hamilton the social housing waiting list swelled to 5,045 from 4,166 an increase of over 21%.
This is the largest increase in the province among big municipalities. It is hard to see things improving until we start building truly affordable housing.
Housing advocates are hoping a long term affordable housing strategy promised by the provincial government will address waiting lists and other matters related to affordable housing.
Announcements on the new strategy are expected in June.
An advocates group called the Housing Network of Ontario has created a Five Test Plan for the government's much anticipated strategy.
To pass the five tests a plan will need to effectively reduce and eventually eliminate housing-related poverty, build equitable, inclusive and thriving communities, and help strengthen Ontario’s economy through long-term job creation and lowering the social costs associated with poverty. (More information on the five tests can be found at http://stableandaffordable.com/
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