Useful materials

Opening the Window

Joy Connelly's blog on her viewpoints about social housing’s future, with a focus on Toronto. Posts can be found on the website here. 

CHF Canada's Election Website

On May 2, let’s open the door to affordable housing!

More than 1.5 million Canadian households―seniors, working families, single parents and new Canadians―need affordable homes in strong communities.

Protect Co-op Affordability
ASK CANDIDATES: Will you work to keep co-op homes affordable for low-income Canadians?

Thousands of Canadians will not be able to afford their homes when federal agreements with co-ops end. Canada's next government needs to find an effective solution to continue the federal support that helps people who need affordable housing.

Build More Co-op Homes
ASK CANDIDATES: Will you push for federal action to build more co-op homes?

For over 40 years, Canada’s mixed-income co-ops have provided good quality affordable homes in healthy, diverse communities. With the provinces, territories and municipalities, Canada’s next government needs to play a key role in helping to build more co-op homes across Canada.

Go to CHF website to find out where parties stand and to send a message to your candidate.

A Letter from Doug King: We asked... Vote housing May 2!

-----Original Message-----
From: Doug King - Pivot on behalf of Doug King - Pivot
Sent: Tue 4/19/2011 8:41 PM
To: Beth Wilson
Subject: We asked - most answered. Vote housing May 2!

Dear Beth,
 Links:
   1. http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=9a451e878eeec0a3e584da1a3&id=1b075fa56b&e=e965e5c60e

If you're like me you've probably been wondering why four weeks into the
federal election campaign we've still heard next to nothing about housing.
Despite a homelessness crisis that the United Nations had described as a
"national emergency," housing issues were invisible during last week's
leaders' debate.

We know that people across the country care about housing- check out some of
what people are up to [2]here and [3]here. This week the Red Tent Campaign
called on the major federal parties to answer questions on housing in order
to get some answers for Canadians.
 Links:
   2. http:// http:// http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI7UTOohmQc&feature=player_embedded#at=13
   3. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.151853571546481.39009.100001655163543

In the end, four parties [4]responded (the Conservatives choose to remain
silent on the issue) and they all pledged their support for a federal
housing strategy. However, there was a lot of variation when it came down to
attaching a dollar figure to a national housing plan.
 Links:
   4. http://www.pivotlegal.org

_The Bloc Quebecois_ pledged the greatest level of financial support,
calling for "a progressive reinvestment in social and affordable housing,
with the goal of reaching an additional $2 billion per year of funding by
the federal government."

_The Liberal Party_ was the most pragmatic in their response. They committed
to protecting the current level of federal funding, and to pledging an
addition $275 million in the immediate future.

_The Green Party_ took the position of a national housing strategy one step
further, pledging "the inclusion of a clause in the Canadian Charter of
Rights and Freedoms that specifically states that everyone living in Canada
is entitled to safe shelter or affordable housing."

_The NDP_ announced that when a new parliament is formed they will bring
back Bill C-304 to enact a federal housing strategy and would commit $2.6
billion to invest in social housing over the next 4 years.

Read the parties' full answers to the questions [5]here and check out some
great vintage photos of the party leaders on our new website while you're at
it.
 Links:
   5. http://www.pivotlegal.org

Happy voting,

Doug King
Housing Campaigner


Pivot's mandate is to take a strategic approach to social change, using the
law to address the root causes that undermine the quality of life of those
most on the margins. We believe that everyone, regardless of income,
benefits from a healthy and inclusive community where values such as
opportunity, respect and equality are strongly rooted in the law.
 

Open Letter to Dalton McGuinty

This letter accompanies the Toronto Star article, "Synagogues call for Action on Poverty."

Speak up for Housing

The following is a compilation of NDP, Liberal and Green Party platforms on housing.
Download party platforms here.

Ontario's "Long Term Affordable Housing Strategy" Falls Short

The Ontario government's long awaited "Long Term Affordable Housing Strategy" falls far short of the five tests that the Housing Network of Ontario set out to judge it.

Download the analysis from Wellesley Institute.

Faith in Action: A Dialogue with Your City

Download the MultiFaith Alliance to End Homelessness -- Affordable Housing Office, City of Toronto REPORT on the April 8th Event that brought together faith communities to learn and discuss ways to take action to create safe, affordable, accessible housing in Toronto.

Download the Faith In Action Report

Download a list of resources that support affordable housing

Ontario 2010 Pre-Budget Consultations Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

Download

The “Housing First” Model: Immediate Access to Permanent Housing

by Nick Falvo

Download

Movement on the Social Assistance Review: Advisory Group to be Announced

December 4, 2009 - According to news reports this morning, a new advisory group will be appointed later today to advise Minister of Community and Social Services, Madeleine Meilleur, on the terms of reference for the government’s Social Assistance Review and to make recommendations on short- and longer-term action to improve the social assistance system.

Laurel Rothman National Coordinator,
Campaign 2000 & Director of Social Reform,
Family Service Toronto
355 Church St. Toronto M5B 1Z8
Tel: 416-595-9230 x228; Fax: 416-595-0242
Email:
Websites: www.campaign2000.ca & www.familyservicetoronto.org.

 

The Ontario Deprivation Index: What Is It?

December 4, 2009 - The provincial government will be releasing its own report today on Year One of the poverty reduction strategy. We are anticipating an announcement on the creation of one of the eight indicators that will be used to track progress on poverty reduction - the Ontario Deprivation Index (ODI). View the report.

 

MAKING GOOD ON THE PROMISE

December 4, 2009 - One year into the Ontario government’s commitment to reduce child poverty by 25 per cent by 2013, the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction warns the province risks missing its target unless further action is taken. Go to www.25in5.ca/making-good-on-the-promise to get the report.

 

Canadian housing fact sheet

December 3, 2009 - As federal, provincial and territorial housing ministers gather on December 4 in Gatineau for their first national housing summit since September of 2005, here are some housing facts and figures from the Wellesley Institute:

Download

Comments from MFATEH to Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Ontario Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy Consultation Comments from the MultiFaith Alliance to End Homelessness.

Download...

Policy On Human Rights And Rental Housing

In Ontario, the Human Rights Code applies to both tenants and landlords. Under the Code, everyone has the right to equal treatment in housing without discrimination and harassment. And landlords are responsible for making sure housing environments are free from discrimination and harassment. Read The Ontario Human Rights Commission's policy on this issue.

Download...

50+ Things To Do to Fight Homelessness

You can curse the darkness that homeless people live in, or you can light a candle. There is always something you can do!

Download, Add your Organization name to the flyer, print, fold, SHARE

Download...

Wellesley Institute National Housing Report Card

Feds, most provinces fail to meet their commitment to increase affordable housing funding by $2 billion.

Download...

Reverse the housing cuts: New federal affordable housing investment required

To counter the Federal Government's massive cuts in affordable housing investments, the Wellesley Institute is calling on Parliament to make significant new investments in affordable housing to improve the health of Canadians, to strengthen our communities and to deliver substantial economic benefits.

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Three key elements in an Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy: Health equity, affordable housing and a healthy third sector

The Ontario government has promised to develop and implement a poverty reduction strategy. The Wellesley Institute provides the Ontario government with specific recommendations in three major areas.

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Housing, homelessness and Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy

Good quality, affordable housing is a basic necessity for good health, and it is also vital for the social and economic health of the province. Investments in affordable housing deliver multiple dividends, including good homes, good jobs, increased taxes and positive economic activity.

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Ontario Starts to Attack Poverty

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