WINDSOR-ESSEX TENANT LEADER RECOGNIZED

Neyrda Ollett, tenant community leader, receives ONPHA Award

TORONTO, Nov. 22 /CNW/ - Neyrda Ollett, a tenant leader from Windsor-Essex Community Housing, was recognized for her commitment to tenant leadership with an award from the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) over the weekend.

The ONPHA Tenant Achievement Recognition 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 Enbridge Gas Distribution, this annual award recognizes tenants living in non-profit housing who make their communities better places to live.

"Neyrda's dedication, passion and generosity are truly inspiring - her volunteer work is contributing to real and positive changes in her community," said Keith Ward, ONPHA President.

Neyrda is one of two recipients of this year's ONPHA Tenant Achievement Recognition Award, and was honoured this year along with the Clementine Towers Social Club and Tenant Association from Ottawa Community Housing.

"Tenant leadership and engagement is central to strong, vibrant non-profit housing. Both recipients of the 2010 Tenant Achievement Recognition Award understand the important role tenants play in making their communities good places to live," said Sharad Kerur, ONPHA's Executive Director.

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: The ONPHA Going Green Award
Winner: Housing York Inc. York Region
Sponsor: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

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 Rhona Duncan, Communications Manager Tel: [phone] ext. 126 Cell: 647-828-8081 Web: www.onpha.org

Windsor Essex Community Housing Corporation (CHC) Kari Schofield, Public Affairs Manager Tel: [phone] ext. 3235 Cell: 519-990-3183 Web: www.wechc.com