The National Housing Federation in the United Kingdom has just released a new study that underlines the critical need for a massive investment in more social housing in that country. Home Truths sets out the specific reasons for a target of 70,000 new affordable homes annually. In mid-July, the new UK administration of PM Gordon […]
Another public holiday for Ontario?
One of the political parties contesting the October 10 election in Ontario has revived the age-old idea of an additional public holiday for the province in February (that rather bleak stretch between New Year and the spring that offers little relief). If adopted, that would bring to eight the number of public holidays in Ontario […]
Barbaric…
… that’s the only way to describe the urban health landscape in the United States, the richest country in the world and the self-proclaimed leader of the “free” world. I’ve been in Baltimore for the International Conference on Urban Health and on Thursday afternoon was invited to visit parts of the inner city. I visited […]
Remembering the victims of the Rupert fire
Every year, as the holiday season approaches, a group of low-income tenants and housing advocates gather to remember the ten people who died in the Rupert Hotel rooming house fire, and to re-commit themselves to the campaign for safe and affordable homes for all. This year’s Rupert memorial will be held on Thursday, December 13, […]
Federal budget 2008: Billion-dollar housing / homelessness gap looming
Wellesley Institute federal budget scan: Healthy corporate profits – healthy communities??? Minister Flaherty federal budget fails to offer funding; Billion-dollar housing / homelessness gap is looming Just five days before federal Finance Minister James Flaherty rose in the House of Commons earlier today (February 26) to deliver the 2008 national budget,
Continue ReadingFederal budget 2008: Billion-dollar housing / homelessness gap looming
Breaking news: FPT housing ministers finally set to meet!
Federal, provincial and territorial housing ministers are set to meet on Wednesday for the first time in more than two and one-half years, according to several reports. Provincial and territorial housing ministers met in early February in Vancouver, and had invited federal housing minister Monte Solberg to join them. Minister Solberg decided to boycott that […]
Continue ReadingBreaking news: FPT housing ministers finally set to meet!
Talkin’ poverty with Minister Matthews…
The Ontario government launched its public consultation on its proposed Poverty Reduction Strategy with a few bumps this week. Closed-door, invitation-only meetings are not the best way to engage the people of Ontario, including those who have a direct experience of poverty. There is real expertise and a great deal of wisdom from the “ground […]
Re-developing public housing: TCHC gets little help
Don Mount Court is the first public housing project in Toronto to be redeveloped – coming in just ahead of Regent Park, the biggest and oldest public housing neighbourhood in this city (which has started the redevelopment process). Don Mount, in the east end of downtown Toronto, had to be redeveloped because a growing number of the buildings […]
Continue ReadingRe-developing public housing: TCHC gets little help
Hefty housing costs stay local in "good news / bad news" provincial funding deal
Good news: The Ontario government, along with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the City of Toronto, jointly announced earlier today a plan to upload the costs of several provincial income assistance programs back to the provincial level over the next decade. This will give municipalities some significant fiscal breathing room – as it […]
Continue ReadingHefty housing costs stay local in "good news / bad news" provincial funding deal
Add your voice: Canadians for affordable housing in fed budget
Over the next month, the federal government is preparing a critically important federal budget that responds to the current economic crisis. Now is your chance to add your voice to the growing number of Canadians who are demanding that affordable housing investments be a key part of the next federal budget. Join the Facebook group […]
Continue ReadingAdd your voice: Canadians for affordable housing in fed budget