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Boxed-In The Affordable Housing Crisis in Hastings County

Explore the comprehensive "Boxed-In" report on the affordable housing crisis in Hastings County, released on April 26, 2005. Uncover the study's background, key highlights, preliminary strategies proposed, and the formation of the Affordable Housing Action Network. Learn about the urgent need for subsidized housing, the challenges faced by homeless individuals, and the essential strategies to combat the crisis. Obtain a copy of the report to delve deeper into the critical issue.

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Boxed-In The Affordable Housing Crisis in Hastings County

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  1. Boxed-InThe Affordable Housing Crisis in Hastings County Communities Taking Action April 26, 2005

  2. Boxed-In Report • Background of the Report • Highlights of the Report • Preliminary Strategies • Affordable Housing Action Network • Conclusion • Obtaining a copy of the Boxed-In Report

  3. Boxed-In: Background • Started on National Housing Day November 2002 • Housing Working Group was formed • Hastings County Affordable Housing Research Project • Participatory Action Research

  4. Boxed-In: Background • Wanted to know: • Who is at risk of being homeless? • Why are they at risk? • What are some of the challenges people face when housing is not affordable? • How can we build upon existing assets in our community to create change and improve the situation?

  5. Boxed-In: Background • Interviewed 781 households • Homeless • At risk of being homeless • Precariously housed • Low income households • Statistics Canada information • 117 service providers • Over 100 affordable housing studies

  6. Boxed-In: Highlights • Survey respondents asked to rank priorities • #1 Priority: Create more subsidized or rent geared-to-income housing • “Shelter is a basic human need. So are good nutrition and health care and education. I’m glad you are doing this survey. People need dignity before they can contribute to society. Housing is a good start.”

  7. Boxed-In: Highlights • 107 households self-identified as homeless (293 people) • Main reasons: • Affordability of housing • Loss of job or unemployment • Marital/relationship breakdown • Conflict or differences within households • “When you have a child and are working hard to make ends meet and you lose your job it’s hard.”

  8. Boxed-In: Highlights • More than one-third of respondents had been homeless within the past three years • 70% of respondents reported that their current housing had one or more disrepair issues • “Rent is too high for people to live. Pay rent and don’t eat or eat and don’t pay rent”

  9. Preliminary Strategies • 23 Preliminary Strategies • Building Community Capacity • Advocacy • Existing Housing Stock • Create New Affordable Housing • Other

  10. Building Community Capacity • Create an Affordable Housing Action Network for Hastings County • Provide information to homeless and precariously housed • Develop housing and housing related contact lists • Increase public awareness • Develop workshops

  11. Advocacy • In-depth analysis of survey results • Increase shelter allowances for social assistance recipients • Extend the Supporting Community Partners Initiative beyond March 2006 • Advocate to the provincial government to provide funding for 35,000 new affordable housing units in Ontario

  12. Existing Housing Stock & Creation of New Affordable Housing • Think “Outside the Box” • Commercial buildings no longer in use • “Brownfield” developments • Single room occupancy units • Rooming house systems • Mobile homes • Multi-use developments

  13. Existing Housing Stock & Creation of New Affordable Housing • Create an inventory of surplus government properties • Home ownership seminars • Inform landlords and developers about funding available • Develop a strategic plan to create more affordable housing • Pursue other public and private initiatives

  14. Other Strategies • Support agencies pursuing funding to provide support • Improve local transportation services

  15. Affordable Housing Action Network (AHAN) • Repeatedly heard “Somebody should do something about the affordable housing crisis” • Idea of AHAN developed • AHAN will take the lead to address the issues from the preliminary strategies • AHAN made up of people from this community

  16. Affordable Housing Action Network (AHAN) • Two Task Forces established: • Community Capacity Building, Advocacy & Awareness Task Force • Bricks and Mortar Task Force • Have already had meetings, began working and planning • Anyone interested can join • Allows full or limited participation

  17. Conclusion • There is an affordable housing crisis in Hastings County • Over 1,100 households waiting for subsidized housing • Over 100 households surveyed were homeless • No new affordable housing has been built for 10 years • Need to create the Affordable Housing Action Network

  18. Copy of the Boxed-In Report • Hard copy can be obtained from Hastings County’s Housing Programs Branch for a cost of $10 • Electronic version: • Hastings County’s web site at www.hastingscounty.com , click on “Departments” then click on “Social Housing”. • Direct web site address is: http://www.hastingscounty.com/Departments/SocialHousing/Social_Housing.htm

  19. “Without a safe nurturing environment it is impossible to be a good parent or person. From stability comes growth. We all need roots.”

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