Today is National Housing Day and what does that mean you ask?
CMHC puts it well on their website at https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/nhs/national-housing-day
On November 22, join us in recognizing the critical role of housing and striving for collaborative, innovative solutions to housing challenges. We also take this opportunity to thank all our partners for the work they do every day.
Housing is more than 4 walls and a roof. It's where people and families thrive and children learn and grow. Housing helps us stay employed, do better in school and access community services. A safe and secure home gives us the stability we need to face life’s challenges and enables us to participate fully in society. Having a home isn’t just a basic need — it is essential to our health and well-being.
Despite its importance, many people in Canada don’t have a safe and stable place to call home. This National Housing Day, we recognize that housing matters and that we all have a role in ensuring that more people have the dignity and safety of a home.
We can’t do this alone. We need to work together — across sectors and across orders of government — to find new, innovative solutions to housing challenges.
Addressing the Housing Crisis: Uniting for Change at Humber College
A compelling community event is being held tonight at Humber College Lakeshore starting at 5 pm which will unite community advocates, local organizations, and experts in a collective effort to tackle the pressing issue of our current housing crisis. This isn't just a Toronto concern; it's a challenge that resonates throughout all of Canada.
Witnessing the profound impact on local residents compelled me to engage more deeply with this issue. It's disheartening to see community members facing adversity due to a lack of affordable housing. Over the summer, I observed a stark increase in makeshift tents dotting areas of our city that were once untouched by homelessness. Parks and ravine systems, previously untouched by this crisis, are now becoming temporary homes for those with nowhere else to go, especially when existing shelters reach full capacity.
The event at Humber College serves as a crucial platform to foster dialogue, share insights, and explore potential solutions to alleviate the strain of the housing crisis. By bringing together passionate individuals and experts, we aim to generate actionable strategies that can make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected.
Let's join forces, amplify our voices, and work collaboratively towards a future where safe and affordable housing is a reality for all. Together, we can transform our shared concern into impactful change, creating a more secure and compassionate community for everyone.
Empowering Community, Securing Homes: How Community Land Trusts Can Be a Pillar In The Affordable Housing Crisis Solution
(Originally Published in The Etobicoke Voice October 5 2023; to learn more you can speak to local volunteers from the South Etobicoke Community Land Trust Booth at the Humber Event)
In the face of a mounting affordable housing crisis, finding feasible solutions to help residents stay and thrive in Etobicoke has become paramount. The surge in housing costs and the alarming scarcity of affordable options have left many struggling to secure suitable homes. However, a glimmer of hope shines through the fog of this housing challenge—Community Land Trusts (CLTs). These non-profit organizations stand as a beacon of hope, offering a promising path to address the crisis and help our community afford to stay and live in our cherished area.
Community Land Trusts (CLTs): A Brief Overview
Community land trusts, or CLTs, are nonprofit organizations driven by the community, working to acquire and manage land for the collective benefit of the community itself. Their primary goal is to ensure that the land remains permanently affordable and serves the community's long-term needs.
The Power of Collective Action
One of the key strengths of CLTs lies in their ability to bring the community together. By pooling resources and leveraging collective action, residents can acquire and maintain land, thereby protecting it from the unpredictable fluctuations of the real estate market. This, in turn, allows for the preservation of affordable housing options for both current and future generations.
Securing Affordable Housing
With affordable housing being at the core of their mission, CLTs typically develop a variety of housing options, from rental units to shared-equity homes. These options are made available at rates that remain stable and affordable, preventing displacement and fostering a sense of stability and security within the community.
Promoting Equitable Development
Community land trusts enable communities to have a say in how their neighborhoods are developed. This leads to more equitable and sustainable growth, ensuring that development projects prioritize the needs and desires of the residents, rather than merely being profit-driven endeavors.
The Future of Etobicoke: A Collaborative Effort
The rise of community land trusts holds immense promise. By embracing this model, we can collectively address the housing affordability crisis and shape a future where housing is a right, not a privilege. It's about coming together as a community, leveraging our collective strength, and safeguarding affordability for generations to come.
In South Etobicoke, a promising initiative is taking shape to further the cause of affordable housing—the South Etobicoke Community Land Trust Working Group.
This newly formed working group, born out of LAMP and other local organizations, is set on a mission to establish a Community Land Trust in the area that the organization has been part of for decades. This collective effort is a beacon of hope, aiming to address housing affordability challenges in our local neighbourhoods. It's about working collaboratively to secure a brighter future for South Etobicoke—a future where everyone can afford to live and thrive in this wonderful area.
Check out this link for more information and how to get involved https://lampchc.org/2023/09/28/south-etobicoke-land-trust/
As we stand at this critical point in time, let us unite, educate ourselves, and take proactive steps towards creating a community-driven legacy of affordability and inclusivity in Etobicoke. Together, we can build a brighter and more equitable future.
One last thing….
Just a reminder that Etobicoke Centre MP Yvan Baker’s office has opened the nomination period for his 2023 Community Recognition awards. There are multiple categories and all the information can be found on his website.
Nominations are open until December 20 and the awards ceremony is scheduled to take place January 28, 2024.
https://yvanbaker.libparl.ca/2023/10/27/1083/
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