HOUSING YORK RECOGNIZED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE

Housing York Inc. receives award for green leadership

TORONTO, Nov. 22 /CNW/ - Housing York Inc. was recognized for their pursuit of environmental excellence by the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) over the weekend.

The Going Green Award is part of ONPHA's annual awards program recognizing leadership and celebrating success in Ontario's non-profit housing sector.

Made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), this annual award recognizes a non-profit housing provider that is taking innovative steps to reduce their environmental impact.

"Housing York's work to improve energy efficiency and reduce green house gas emissions provides a great example of environmental leadership in the non-profit housing sector," said Keith Ward, ONPHA President. "Their focused efforts have resulted in cost and energy savings that have benefitted both their financial bottom line and the environmental sustainability of their communities."

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

For over 20 years, ONPHA has been the voice of non-profit housing in Ontario.  Founded in 1988, ONPHA unites 756 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.

ABOUT THE ONPHA AWARDS:
The awards were announced during the 22nd Annual Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) Conference and Trade Show from November 19-21.  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.

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.

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

Other 2010 winners by category include:

Category: ONPHA Award for Excellence
Winner: Ottawa Community Housing
Sponsor: Prentice Yates and Clark.

Category: Sybil Frenette Outstanding Leadership Award
Winner: Lindsey Reed, Executive Director, Social Housing Services Corporation.
Sponsor: Yardi Systems Inc.

Category: ONPHA Tenant Achievement Recognition Awards
Winners: Neyrda Ollett, Windsor Essex Community Housing & Clementine Towers Social Club and Tenant Association, Ottawa Community Housing
Sponsor: Enbridge

Category: 20 Years of Service Recognition
Winners: Sandra Weston (Loughborough Housing Corporation), Joanne Rochetta, (Kingston and Frontenac Housing Corp.), Glenn Allen (Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corp), Glen O'Brecht (Peel Living- Region of Peel), Tom Lockyer (City of Brantford), George Leaman, (Amherstburg Seniors Non Profit Housing Corp), and Peggy Birnberg (Houselink Community Homes).
Sponsor: Morneau Sobeco

For further information:

ONPHA	Housing York Inc.
Rhona Duncan, Communications Manager	Jennifer Mitchell-Emmerson,
Tel: [phone] ext. 126	Community and Health Services,
Cell: 647-828-8081	York Region
Web: www.onpha.org	Phone: [phone], ext. 4016
	Cell: 905 716-9753