Social housing conference draws landlords from across Ontario

Canada's largest social housing conference draws landlords and policy makers to tackle Ontario's critical need for affordable housing

TORONTO, Oct. 18, 2013 /CNW/ - More than 1,100 landlords, policy makers and issue experts are in Toronto this weekend for the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association's (ONPHA) 25^th annual conference and tradeshow. The three-day event, the largest conference of its kind in Canada, will help equip Ontario's affordable housing sectors for the challenges ahead.

"More and more Ontarians are having their household budgets crunched by the high cost of rental housing in this province," says Sharad Kerur, ONPHA's Executive Director. "While Federal and Provincial investments in affordable housing have helped, the reality is that almost 600,000 Ontario renters pay more than 30 per cent of their income on rent and almost 275,000 pay more than 50 per cent. For too many, that doesn't leave money for other basics like child care, groceries and transit fare to get to work."

The ONPHA Conference and Trade Show is the sector's premier event, drawing social housing landlords, policy makers, tenants and community partners together every year. "Our sector is facing a number of challenges" says Kerur, "Tightening budgets combined with the growing need for capital repairs and the need for supports for vulnerable tenants means that we need everyone - landlords, municipalities, the Province, and the Feds - at the table to find solutions. That's what our conference is all about - we're creating a forum for problem solving."

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, The Honourable Linda Jeffrey, will address delegates at the conference's Opening Plenary, scheduled for this morning.

"Our government continues to call for a renewed federal commitment to affordable housing, because we all have a role play in helping to maintain affordable housing in Ontario and across Canada." said Minister Jeffrey. "Non-profit housing is more than just bricks and mortar - it helps create jobs and builds communities."

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

This is ONPHA's 25^th annual conference and trade show. This year's theme, Building on our strengths, highlights our delegates' commitment to learning as the administration and operation of non-profit housing becomes more complex. Over three days, our conference will bring together more than 1,100 delegates from the affordable housing sector, including landlord, tenants, and representatives of municipal and provincial government.

AWARDS ANNOUNCMENTS

ONPHA is committed to recognizing excellence within its membership. As part of our annual Awards Program, the winners of the following awards will be announced.

At the Opening Plenary
The Award for Excellence, sponsored by Prentice Yates and Clark Chartered Accountants

At the Banquet
The Sybil Frenette Outstanding Leadership Award, sponsored by Yardi
The ONPHA Going Green Award, sponsored by Enbridge Gas Distribution
Lifetime of Service Recognition, sponsored by Morneau Shepell and Green Shield Canada

At the Closing Lunch
The Tenant Achievement Recognition Awards, sponsored by Enbridge Gas Distribution

For more information about ONPHA's Award Program, visit www.onpha.on.ca/awards. Information about the winners will be available on October 21, 2013 at www.onpha.on.ca.

For 25 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.

Find ONPHA online:

www.onpha.on.ca
www.housingopensdoors.ca
www.facebook.com/ONPHA
www.twitter.com/ONPHA
www.youtube.com/ONPHAjm

SOURCE: Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA)

Media contact:
Sharad Kerur
Executive Director, ONPHA
416-723-2835
[email protected]