The Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference is coming up in Ottawa from Sunday through Wednesday of next week.
On August 12th, Ontario’s United Ways released a report entitled “Built for Good” which outlines a costed, delivery-ready plan to tackle the Province’s deepening housing crisis.
Preeti Prabhu is United Way’s Senior Director of Public Policy for Government and Stakeholder Relations.
The wide collaboration comes to the conclusion that over-reliance on the private sector alone will not solve the situation.
The United Way East Ontario spokesperson says governments can rise to the occasion by encouraging greater non-profit and cooperative housing efforts as part of any long-term solution.
Prabhu says the United Way has hit the ground running to promote the “Built for Good” document to civic officials.
She is hopeful the document will provide the necessary impetus for wider collaboration.
Built for Good, identifies what it would take to transform Ontario’s housing system, with ten, five and two-year targets. For example, a $16.7 billion investment over two years would jumpstart a province-wide affordable housing strategy.
Prabhu says there’s a will to commit; it just needs a clearer focus.
Built for Good would channel moneys from bandaid solutions for a more permanent fix.
On par with other major infrastructure commitments, the investment would create stable homes for thousands while generating jobs and economic activity across the province and relieving pressure on public systems like healthcare and emergency shelters.
The report advocates for greater sectoral cooperation- which ultimately generates more bang for the buck.
Non-Profit and Co-op Homes are suggested as the Way for Ontario to Build Its Way Out of the Housing Crisis providing five and ten year targets for a problem too long neglected.
This benefits all Ontarians, no matter where they find themselves on the housing continuum.
By Rick Stow