Ontario's proposed affordable housing plan fails to meet five basic tests set
by Housing Network of Ontario

TORONTO, Nov. 30 /CNW/ - The Ontario government released its much anticipated Long-term Affordable Housing Strategy today, but the document failed to provide a plan that meets all five basic tests set out by the Housing Network of Ontario and its almost 500 supporters across the province.

"The Ontario government has proposed some new legislation and administrative procedures that are useful and important, but the essential items for a long-term affordable housing plan - targets, timeline, and most of all funding over a multi-year period - are missing. It's like they've put up the scaffolding, but then forgot to give the workers the tools that they need to get the job done," says Michael Shapcott, co-Chair of the Housing Network of Ontario. "By the end of this fiscal year, capital funding for new affordable housing is set to shrink to zero. Investment in building new homes and repairing existing rundown housing not only helps the people living in that housing, but also provides a solid boost to the economy, including jobs and even additional tax revenue for the government."

"The government's promise to more effectively measure affordable housing and issue annual reports is helpful, but without specific targets, timelines and funding, it's hard to provide accountability for results. Thousands of Ontarians took part in public consultations last year, calling for sustained funding to build at least 10,000 affordable new homes annually and better maintenance of existing housing; a universal housing benefit; support services to make housing truly affordable and accessible; changes to housing legislation; proper accountability; and clear ways to measure progress in the fight against housing-related poverty," says Shapcott.

There are 141,635 Ontario households on the waiting list for affordable housing with a wait of up to 21 years. Census data indicates that 1 in every 5 tenant households in Ontario pays over 50% of their income on rent and 626,255 households in Ontario are unable to find acceptable housing that costs 30% or less of their income.

"The decision to scrap the cruel and administratively burdensome Social Housing Reform Act is a big step forward, but other legislative changes are needed also, including stronger tenant protection laws and inclusionary housing rules to allow municipalities to require a percentage of all new developments to be set aside for affordable housing," says Shapcott. "There's plenty of unfinished business to complete before the Ontario government can turn its current proposal into a truly comprehensive long-term affordable housing plan."

The Housing Network of Ontario is a provincial network of affordable housing advocates with over 450 organizations and individuals who have endorsed the Housing Network of Ontario Declaration.  Members of the HNO attended both government sponsored and community organized housing consultations in 2009.

For further information:

Housing Network of Ontario co-chair:
Michael Shapcott, Director of Affordable Housing, Wellesley Institute: 416-605-8316

Housing Network of Ontario steering committee:
Lynne Browne, Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa: 613-513-6647