SDG Affordable Housing Summit talks about progress, future opportunities

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LONG SAULT – The SDG Affordable Housing Summit on Friday was well attended at the South Stormont Community Hall, where community stakeholders engaged in conversations about current and future housing projects.

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Hosted by House of Lazarus on behalf of Dundas County Housing Initiative Committee, several speakers filled the day with housing statistics, stories and solutions to consider.

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United Way Centraide SDG Executive Director Juliette Labossière kicked things off by talking about how everyone can play a role in working to create more innovative housing models.

“Today I say enough is enough, it’s not anyone else’s problem. Today I want to hear how you, your level of government, your organization, your company, you as an individual…will make a difference, together, because one must be made now,” she implored.

Sharing recent statistics, Labossière highlighted how the current average market rental unit costs between $1,512 and $1,842 per month in the six SDG municipalities, and how this leaves many with little funds left to support their basic needs , even if they have access to community food. banks and other supports.

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Labossière also highlighted the important steps taken by the agencies involved in maintaining a list tool by name, which is a real-time list of people experiencing homelessness, allowing partners to determine what resources each person needs . There was also talk of working towards a housing planning strategy which aims to see people first housed and then connected to individualized services.

Cornwall Human Services and Long-Term Care General Manager Mellissa Morgan, along with Housing Services Manager Lisa Smith, spoke about the various projects planned and/or completed in the region in 2019, including the completed 550 Ninth St. and the soon-to-be-bid Massey Commons project.

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“There are currently six active tents living there Pointe Maligne Park in the city. This is just a snapshot of the people who come into our office every day and say ‘I’m homeless, I’ve been in an apartment, I’ve just been kicked out,’” Smith said.

Casa lui Lazar spoke about its partnership with The Anglican Parish of South Dundas will create the Morrisburg Community Center and Warming Centre, which is largely supported by community fundraising. The center registered 1,136 household visits in the last year.

Audience members were allowed to ask questions and contribute comments after each speaker. One participant asked how to prevent people from outside the community from coming in from other cities and jumping head first, so to speak, into affordable housing. Labossière encouraged people who need affordable housing in the community to identify themselves and their needs and they will be prioritized based on their case and position on the roll of names.

Many members of the public also questioned current regulations and policies, questioning whether local developers can be mandated to build a certain number of affordable units.

Municipalities have tools to do this, but they must be included in land use rules, such as official plans and zoning regulations, and as conditions when approving land use agreements, such as secondary plans or amendments of zoning and the official plan.

Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry MP Nolan Quinn was not in attendance but sent his regards. MP Eric Duncan was the keynote speaker for the afternoon.

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