Bruce County along with the Municipality of Kincardine, the Town of Saugeen Shores, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation hosted a half-day forum on the subject yesterday at the Best Western Governor’s Inn in Kincardine.
The forum attracted about a 100 dignitaries, stakeholders, business people, and ordinary citizens.
They heard presentations made by John D’Angelo, a partner with Martinway Contracting, and Woodstock Mayor Michael Harding.
D’Angelo’s company deals specifically with non-profit housing and says it is too bad that not more private contractors get involved in these kinds of ventures.
D’Angelo explained to the group how his company was able to get corporations involved in these projects.
He says many of them donate money but there are those who provide materials and labour and practical items such as furniture and appliances.
D’Angelo says by obtaining corporate sponsorship it has allowed his company to do more than just construct a building.
He says these corporations also learn about affordable housing and it makes them highly regarded as a good corporate citizen for their participation.
Harding came to address the politics of affordable housing.
He talked about some of the opposition he has faced in his municipality and what councillors and municipal staff can expect when the subject of affordable housing is being discussed.
Harding says many people think these units attract the wrong kind of people and drive down property values.
He says we need to do a better job in communicating the need for affordable housing in communities like Kincardine.
He says the people who often use these units are young people trying to get into the work force or doing apprenticeships and older people who can’t afford to keep the home they live in.
Harding says the lack of affordable housing is very much a small town issue not just a big city one.
Susan Earle — Housing Services Manager for Bruce County Housing Corporation — says it is nice to hear some fresh ideas on affordable housing.
She says the waiting list for affordable housing in Bruce County is now at 300 and the situation has gotten worse over the last couple of years.
Earle says with more retail coming into the area and those who work there make moderate income, there needs to be more action taken on the issue.
