The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing came to Hamilton this morning to announce the much anticipated Long Term Affordable Housing Strategy (LTAHS.)
Many of you came out to last year's consultations and/or made input into the strategy.
It would be nice to report that everything you asked for has found its way into the LTAHS but I'm sure you will know that isn't the case.
On the positive side there are significant changes to regulations that govern social housing. The clinic will provide some analysis on this when more details are available – hopefully, later this week.
There is also a commitment to give cities more power to adapt to the different needs found in their respective communities. Municipalities will also now be able (be required, in fact) to establish policies for second or accessory units in new and existing developments. Local authorities will get the power to make more decisions without approval of the provincial government as currently many activities including financing and other matters require "ministerial consent."
Many of you will be disappointed, though, with what isn't in the report. For example, there are no new operating or capital dollars for housing. Also, no Housing Benefit that would help bridge the gap between the high cost of housing for those whose incomes are too low to afford anything decent. (It should be said that the government has promised to explore this idea.)
I’m not seeing anything in the report on accessible housing or home ownership programs or any commitment for supportive housing.
For those who want more details I’m suggesting you take a look at the Ministry website (Ontario.ca/housing Strategy).
You might also want to read the Wellesley Institute’s Michael Shapcott’s analysis at www.wellesleyinstitute.com
His piece is called “Scaffolding-up-but-lots-of-work-still-needed-before-Ontario-finishes-building-its-housing-plan.”
Once we have all had time to take a closer look at this some thought needs to be given to next steps.
What do you think? Are you happy with the LTAHS? I’m interested in your ideas.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Optimism for Housing Bill
At the risk of repeating myself (see earlier postings) members of Parliament are voting on Bill C- 304 today.
You’ll know that Bill C-304 is a private member's bill from MP Libby Davies that would require the federal government to consult widely and create a national affordable housing plan within six months
Housing advocate Michael Shapcott of the Wellesley Institute (http://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/) reports that “(T)his is the closest Canada has come to a truly comprehensive national affordable housing plan in two decades, and would help to bring Canada in compliance with its international housing rights obligations.”
It has been a long and complicated process for Bill 304.
NDP and Liberal Members have backed the bill since the outset. Bloc members who were once onside, then opposed, seem to be in support again subject to approval of an amendment.
If I’m understanding it correctly, then, today’s vote would send the bill back to Committee where it should pass.
Later in December Libby Davies hopes that it will get to the floor of the Commons for third reading before Parliament recesses for the holidays in mid-December.
When I mentioned this at home this morning the response I got was: “Yeah, but what about the Senate?”
I’ll have to think about that one.
You’ll know that Bill C-304 is a private member's bill from MP Libby Davies that would require the federal government to consult widely and create a national affordable housing plan within six months
Housing advocate Michael Shapcott of the Wellesley Institute (http://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/) reports that “(T)his is the closest Canada has come to a truly comprehensive national affordable housing plan in two decades, and would help to bring Canada in compliance with its international housing rights obligations.”
It has been a long and complicated process for Bill 304.
NDP and Liberal Members have backed the bill since the outset. Bloc members who were once onside, then opposed, seem to be in support again subject to approval of an amendment.
If I’m understanding it correctly, then, today’s vote would send the bill back to Committee where it should pass.
Later in December Libby Davies hopes that it will get to the floor of the Commons for third reading before Parliament recesses for the holidays in mid-December.
When I mentioned this at home this morning the response I got was: “Yeah, but what about the Senate?”
I’ll have to think about that one.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Let's be Clear about "Affordable Housing"
It is important how language is used.
So it bothers me when the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) takes liberties with the English language.
They did it today (November 10th) - and it is not the first time.
A Senior Market Analyst for the Hamilton area reports that housing prices will remain steady for the next year “thereby keeping homes affordable” in the city.
Affordable, for whom?
The spokesperson is speaking of the resale housing market, of course, which means little to those 40% of Hamilton residents who choose to rent or are forced to rent.
For them the housing “market’ is not one that is affordable.
Affordable housing is accommodation where housing costs do not exceed 30% of income. You can find that generally accepted definition on the CMHC website.
Using that measure, according to data from the Social Planning and Research Council (SPRC – www.sprc.hamilton.on.ca), many in our community are living in housing that is not affordable.
In fact, more than 11,000 (36%) of all families who rent and 17,700 (52%) of all singles are living in housing that is not affordable - that’s 44% of all renter households in Hamilton.
The kind of housing that CMHC talks about being “affordable” is not an option to nearly half of Hamilton’s renters. It is, therefore, a disservice to them to present the current housing market in such positive terms.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is Canada’s national housing agency. Established as a government-owned corporation in 1946 to address Canada’s post-war housing shortage, it describes itself “as a major national institution.”
This major institution would make a better contribution to discussions on housing policy if it was more careful with its language.
So it bothers me when the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) takes liberties with the English language.
They did it today (November 10th) - and it is not the first time.
A Senior Market Analyst for the Hamilton area reports that housing prices will remain steady for the next year “thereby keeping homes affordable” in the city.
Affordable, for whom?
The spokesperson is speaking of the resale housing market, of course, which means little to those 40% of Hamilton residents who choose to rent or are forced to rent.
For them the housing “market’ is not one that is affordable.
Affordable housing is accommodation where housing costs do not exceed 30% of income. You can find that generally accepted definition on the CMHC website.
Using that measure, according to data from the Social Planning and Research Council (SPRC – www.sprc.hamilton.on.ca), many in our community are living in housing that is not affordable.
In fact, more than 11,000 (36%) of all families who rent and 17,700 (52%) of all singles are living in housing that is not affordable - that’s 44% of all renter households in Hamilton.
The kind of housing that CMHC talks about being “affordable” is not an option to nearly half of Hamilton’s renters. It is, therefore, a disservice to them to present the current housing market in such positive terms.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is Canada’s national housing agency. Established as a government-owned corporation in 1946 to address Canada’s post-war housing shortage, it describes itself “as a major national institution.”
This major institution would make a better contribution to discussions on housing policy if it was more careful with its language.
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