2009 ONPHA Awards - Recognizing leadership, achievement and excellence in
non-profit housing

Winners announced at ONPHA's 2009 Annual Conference and Trade Show

TORONTO , Nov. 16 /CNW/ - The Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) has announced the winners of its Annual Awards, recognizing leadership, achievement and excellence in non-profit housing.

"Congratulations to the 2009 ONPHA Award winners," said Keith Ward , President of ONPHA. "These award winners have demonstrated commitment and dedication to non-profit housing and are helping to build strong communities."

    
    The 2009 winners by category include:

    Category: ONPHA Award for Excellence
    Winner: Fairview Mennonite Homes
    Sponsor: Prentice, Yates and Clark.

    Category: Sybil Frenette Outstanding Leadership Award
    Winner: Angie Hains, Executive Director, Ecuhome Corporation.
    Sponsor: Yardi Systems Inc.

    Category: The ONPHA Going Green Award
    Winner: Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation (CCOC), Ottawa, Ontario.
    Sponsor: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

    Category: ONPHA Tenant Achievement Recognition Awards
    Winners: Voices from the Street (Toronto); The Banff-Ledbury Tenant
    Association (Ottawa Community Housing, Ottawa); Lynn Wood (Richview
    Baptist Foundation, Toronto), CCOC's Thirty Year Volunteers - Rod
    Manchee, Patrick Savoie, and Alison Kar (Centretown Citizens Ottawa
    Corporation, Ottawa)
    Sponsor: Enbridge
    

Videos of each award recipient are posted on the ONPHA website (www.onpha.on.ca).

The awards were announced during the 21st Annual Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) Conference and Trade Show. Over 1,300 representatives from Ontario's affordable housing sector gathered together for this three day event, featuring over 85 conference workshop events and a trade show with over 75 exhibitors.

ABOUT THE ONPHA AWARDS:

ONPHA's mission is to build and support a strong and diverse non-profit housing sector. Working together with ONPHA members to promote housing excellence, the ONPHA Awards recognize and reward individuals (staff, board members and tenants), groups and non-profits who have made an outstanding contribution to the quality of non-profit housing. Since 1997, many individuals and non-profits have been recognized for their contributions to the sector. There are many more that deserve to be recognized and rewarded for their dedication to, and support of, non-profit housing.

ABOUT COMMUNITY-BASED AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

More than 400,000 people in Ontario rely on community-based affordable housing, including: the elderly, low-income families with children, the working poor, victims of violence and abuse, people living with developmental disabilities or mental illness and the homeless/hard-to-house.

Studies have proven that housing is an essential determinant of health and a key contributor to the vitality of Ontario's communities. Investing in community-based affordable housing supports the government's investment in health care, education, social services and job training and will ensure that the government realizes the benefits of these investments while building strong, vibrant and healthy communities.

ABOUT ONPHA:

ONPHA is the voice of non-profit housing in Ontario. Founded in 1988, ONPHA unites 760 non-profit organizations providing housing in 220 communities across Ontario. Our members include municipal and private non-profits of all sizes, with all types of funding. Further information can be found at www.onpha.on.ca.

For further information: Rhona Duncan, Communications Co-ordinator, Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association, Tel: [phone] ext. 126, Cell: [phone]