Ottawa Community Housing director recognized for outstanding leadership

Laurene Wagner awarded for 35-year commitment to the non-profit housing sector

OTTAWA, Nov. 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Laurene Wagner, Executive Director of Tenant Services at Ottawa Community Housing (OCH), was recognized for excellence in leadership by the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) this past weekend.

The Sybil Frenette Outstanding Leadership Award, one of ONPHA's annual awards, honours an individual whose energy and vision contributes to the cause of non-profit housing in Ontario.

Laurene's 35 years working in the sector reflects her compassion, innovation and tireless work ethic. She is committed to moving the non-profit housing sector forward at the organizational, community and provincial levels. She has also demonstrated a steadfast commitment to improving the lives of the individuals and families that call OCH home.

"Laurene is a great advocate for the cause of social housing in Ottawa and a great friend to tenants living within these communities," says Sandra Pilote, an OCH tenant and board member. Her commitment to the well-being of tenants and communities is well-known by colleagues, peers and tenants.

She has been an integral part of dramatic housing projects, like the redevelopment of Strathcona Heights in Ottawa, one of Ontario's first, large scale inner-city redevelopment projects. She's also been a committed team player within OCH, where her tenant focus has helped reshape the corporation.

Laurene's impact on social housing also extends beyond the walls of OCH and its communities. In the decade between 1999 and 2009, Laurene sat on 10 ONPHA committees, the Board of Directors, and conducted RGI training on ONPHA's behalf in communities across the province. All of this on top of her progressively more senior post at OCH.

"Laurene's lengthy and distinguished career has helped shape housing delivery in the Ottawa-area and across the province," says Sharad Kerur, ONPHA Executive Director. "We commend her for her commitment to shaping and improving Ontario's non-profit housing sector."

About ONPHA:

For more than 20 years, the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) has been the voice of non-profit housing in Ontario.  Our 770 member organizations operate more than 163,000 non‐profit housing units in over 220 communities in Ontario. They provide affordable homes to a diverse range of tenants, including: seniors; low‐income families with children; Aboriginal people; the working poor; victims of violence and abuse; people living with developmental disabilities, mental illness, addictions and HIV/AIDS; and the formerly homeless/hard‐to‐house.

About the ONPHA Awards:

The award winners were announced during ONPHA's 2012 Conference and Trade Show from November 16-18.  Over 1,100 representatives from Ontario's affordable housing sector gathered together for this three-day event, featuring more than 85 workshop events and a trade show with more than 80 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 available at www.onpha.on.ca/awards.

Find ONPHA online:

www.onpha.on.ca
www.facebook.com/ONPHA
www.twitter.com/ONPHA

SOURCE: Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA)

Media contact:

Shard Kerur
Executive Director, ONPHA
416-723-2835
[email protected]