|
London, Ontario's Online News Source"If you're on...you're in!" |
| ||||||||
|
|
|
|
  |
Affordable housing breaks ground in London
At a combined cost of $10.6 million, federal, provincial and municipal representatives tossed the dirt in celebration, officially starting construction of a 26-unit, $3.9 million project at Huron Pines, near the Huron Street and Sandford Street intersection, sponsored by the Huron Pines Village Co-op Inc., and a $6.8 million 52-unit project, soon to be under construction at 570 Nelson St., sponsored by Homes Unlimited Inc. Both projects combined received $1.3 million from the City of London and $5.4 million from the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program. Both London MPP Khalil Ramal and Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best, on hand representing the provincial government and the City of London, concurred that all levels of government must work together when it comes to the issue of affordable housing. "I believe, as an elected official, that we have to work together in order to see that these projects exist," Ramal said, adding while Thursday's announcement is important, "the need is greater and it is all level of government's obligation to ensure they continue "to support the vulnerable people among us." Noting London's nationwide leadership on the issue of affordable housing, DeCicco-Best said governments "have to take a stand. They have to say that housing is important and they also have to provide funding… it has to be more than a lot of reports and words." Federal MP Bev Shipley, who attended on behalf of Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Monte Solberg, said the Canadian government is committed to making affordable housing available in Ontario and across Canada for those who need it most. "Here in London these new units will help low and moderate income families, singles and individuals with special needs access safe, affordable and quality housing, helping them build a stronger future," he said. Though not present at the ground-turning ceremony, London-Fanshawe MP Irene Mathyssen applauded the start of construction. "Safe and affordable housing in Canada should be a right not a privilege," Mathyssen said in a media release. She said 20 per cent of London residents live in housing that is substandard or unaffordable, paying rents 25 per cent higher than the rest of Canada. In addition, according to the United Way of London, there has been no new affordable housing built in the city since 1996 and the current central waiting list for rent-geared-to-income housing contains approximately 4,000 households or more than 7,700 individuals. In regards to the Huron Pines project, both Londoner Bob Sexsmith – a tireless advocate for housing issues – and City Coun. Susan Eagle were instrumental in getting the project started. |
| I live right beside this work station. My fence is literally against the field that once was a week ago. I can tell you that hearing a dump truck at my window at 7 am is not the nicest thing to wake up to. Not to mention that all of the condos that i live in, especially on the main floor, have open concept windows and the safety issue has not been raised for us. Low income housing right in your backyard doesn't make you feel secure, given that I have moved away from low income housing only to have it creep right back up on me into my own backyard. I'm outraged. This is not safe for the people who live on the main floor of the condos that are nice, and now we have to put up with building and low income housing It outrages me and I will be moving. Thanks for considering the people who wish to live without seeing the crap that goes on in those complex's. I know because i moved my family out of one. I know Huron doesn't have the best record but thinking maybe these condos are nice, we are looking onto a nice field with a church, totally not expecting or being told about this construction. I would NOT have moved into this location if I'd known this was going to happen. It sickens me so much because i know the type of situations that go on in these condos and for my 2 year old daughter I'm actually outraged. |
| By: betty on 08/17/2008 |
| Ontario Works 4-Life! Crank out some kids without a father or a job and get a brand new place. What a deal. |
| By: Ice Cold on 08/17/2008 |
| I'm a little tired of supposed low income families getting everything. Middle class need some help sometimes too. Why is it single mothers are encouraged not to work ? That just irks me. |
| By: Fed Up on 08/18/2008 |
| I am a single mother on Ontario Works. I am insulted to read that you have judged every single mother on Onatrio Work's. Yes there are many poeple that are taking advantage of the system but not all. I live in a run down apartment covered in mold and infested with bug's. I have been working hard to clean this dump up well taking care of my child and going to school. It is not easy trying to provide for a kid on my income. I am trying to get out of this apartment because it has been making my daughter sick but the price's of apartment's today are too high. I can not afford to get my kid out of here until I finish school and get a good enough job to pay those crazy price's. All I have left to say is 'Don't be so quick to judge!!' |
| By: single_mother on 08/20/2008 |
| Im 20 years old and i make 11.50 an hour. support 3 people including a child.I work full time and i live in a nice condo(until those bloody construction workers came about) and i pay for everything. i have the best of the best. you cant sit there and tell me that the prices for apartments are crazy. you just aren't looking hard enough. if there is mold then call the city. there are things you can do about that. sorry lady but there is no room for excuses. |
| By: betty on 08/22/2008 |
| Ice cold Author and Betty Author 8/22/2008 Let me tell u that if you make 11.50 an hour and support 3 people then u don't have the best of the best. In 1991 I had 2000.00 support from my husband and I paid market price in a geared to income housing 3 bedroom house on Mulligan in North Bay, and by the time I paid everything it cost me $910.00/month 650.00 for groceries, phone and dress my kids and myself for part time work, or full time when I could and believe me we had a decent life but we did not get the best of the best! 11.50 nowdays won't get you the best of the best. Unless you have a hubby that is a professional, then sorry honey u ain't seen nothing yet at 20. Cioa |
| By: Estelle Leclerc Payant on 09/29/2008 |
| I must say it actually hurts to think that I have to be cast into a stereotype of shallow minded individuals. I am a 23 year old soon to be single mother who due to the actions of others have been forced onto ontario works in need of housing. I do not doubt there are others out there who manipulate the system and yes I do not think thats right for those of us who are truly in a time of need. And for the record "ice cold" i did not "crank out babies without a father or a job". I had a full time job, was engaged, planned having a baby with someone who meant the world to me only to have him call off the wedding two weeks before it was supposed to happen and have him tell me he wants nothing to do with me or the baby when I was already 3 months pregnant. In the midst of all this I was having health complications in the pregnancy and was off work for a month and in the process of going back only to have him kick me out of my home leaving me homeless, only to have to move 2 hours away to be with family for a place to stay on a couch ( not comfortable when u are a growing pregnant woman) until I was able to find accomodation...meaning i was forced out of my job due to location and have now been put off work for 1 year due to further health complications resulting from major stress on top of what was already wrong. My ex took a lot of my money and left me in a position where I will have to declare bankruptcy to start fresh with me and my child and he has no intention of paying me back knowing im in a tricky situation as far as bringing him to court to get any of the money back...it is very he said she said. I went to college, graduated with honors in child and youth working and had all intentions of going on to become a teacher...though now with having to turn to ontario works and being in the financial situation he left me in...I am unable to do that until I have money to pay tuition...which will not be happening anytime soon. So please realize not everyone is trying to take advantag of the system...merely trying to survive like anyone else....i dont ask for a mansion...i would be content with merely a room for my child and I to be happy and safe in. Please dont judge people as a whole, u dont know what your talking about. |
| By: Kristen on 09/29/2008 |
| Dear Publisher: Please disregard the other email that I sent when I read stuff like that, about single moms, with everything in life in general for some people is the pitts when they are living with nothing! I apologize and I don't want any trouble with readers and so personal that I hope you don't post it. That 2nd one I sent was too personal and I shouldn't have sent it. Sorry, Estelle |
| By: Estelle Leclerc Payant on 10/03/2008 |
| I have no objection to the new project, I too applaud the need for housing for those who find our rents in London far less than reasonable. My family live in a shoddily run market valued apartment and it is only because the rent was affordable that we were able to do that much. My problem with housing is this....yet another project for low income housing in the NORTHEAST. Is there something wrong with building in the NW, how about the Old South, maybe right downtown would be nice for some families who don't drive? Hmm....always in the Northeast...London's Harlem. |
| By: C McDonald on 10/23/2008 |
| Thank you London for the new housing. I myself am in London Housing in the south west. To others, I have a job thank you very much. But I also gather Ontario Works as I do not make enough money for my 3 children. I went to school. I have a Medical Office Assistant Diploma. I am OUTRAGED by reading how people label everyone on Ontario Works. Like Betty., Ice Cold, Fed Up. I guess we can label you as just little snots.?? As about mold. A dear friend of mine has mold in her house since she has moved in here. See called London Housing, She called the city, She has even called the MP? So whats your advice Betty?? I Love the new project of build the poor with the rich, cause people that cannot afford are not stuck to one area of town to be labeled and ridiculed. Its about time London has get some new housing, cause the waiting lists are so full and shelters only let you stay x amount of days, and mothers and children end up on the streets! |
| By: Mother in London Housing on 11/27/2008 |
| It is unbelievable how you people are so ungrateful. Think of how bad people may have it. Don't people ever think of others anymore? That's what london housing does. Reading these ridiculous comments make me angry, because London Housing, and everyone that has helped out, has made so many people happy. To some readers, you are so sterotypical. Yes you may have had a bad experience with some people that live under london housing, but it doesn't mean you judge them all. That's like saying Doctor's and such are stuck up because they are rich. It's PATHETIC. There is room for excuses, just no room for arrogance. Thank you London Housing and Ontario Works. |
| By: 7TEEN on 12/31/2008 |
| People who apply to live in co-ops should be screened before being accepted. There is no problem with low income people as long as they are decent, honest and respectful. Check their records. If they don't have good records they should not be accepted. You can be poor but decent, honest and respectful. I come from underdevelopment country where people earn not more than $200 / month (average), but my parents, especially my mom, have always taught me/us not just to be honest and respectful but also to be fair to everyone in the same way: the poor, the rich, the black, yellow or white, the weak and the strong. Not all Canadians know this and if they do they don't care. May be this is not about money or income, it is about people. |
| By: Eagle2000 on 04/01/2009 |
| You know what angers me! Is that you all are assuming that every person on Welfare (Called Ontario Works) or people who live in Low income housing cause problems. I am a single mom, on welfare because #1 my previous employer would NOT give me the hours that I needed so that I could put my daughter in daycare #2 I can't find daycare for my daughter because they all have huge waiting lists (I am limited to where I can put her because I don't have a drivers license or a car), and #3 I can't find a full time job that pays enough so that I can live! I know alot of people in low income housing are low lifes, druggies, alcoholics. But there are some honest to goodness people like me who work hard at taking care of their children, making sure they have proper shelter, clothing, food, medical assistance. Because I can't find a full time job, I am starting a home daycare. I already have one client and that one cilent will be giving double what I get from Welfare in one month. With that, I can now afford to move to these new townhomes and have a better life for my young daughter. They do screen people when they bring them into new low income housing. It's easy for someone to put nice clothes on, put some makeup on and look great for an interview and such. Eagle2000, I appreciate what you said. It is so true. |
| By: Low Income Mom on 04/30/2009 |
| For your information this is NOT a low income housing complex. It is an Affordable housing complex. There is NO RGI Rent Geared to Income at all. If you read the charter on the site you have to have a decent income with a job and must pass several steps such as credit checks and the like. So you ignorant people out there. Read up and learn. As far as I was told, no students will be allowed to live here and as Co-op living goes you must participate in your community, ( Huron Pines ). Call the co-op and ask what criteria is required, don't just assume. |
| By: Erin on 04/30/2009 |
| These projects are wonderful! Keep applying for more. Since I am with London Housing for geared to income list, I must say that Susan Sauer hung up on me and my housing worker a week and a half ago. Seems that London Housing decides who should go where and when... and OWorks refused my 160.00 for gas money to go for an interview out of town for a full time job! That was my right! Instead I assume OWorks does not want us to work it might cause a lay off for some caseworkers! Instead MTCU paid 40,000.00 in 2008 for me to go to TriOS College and graduate with an Honours Business Administration program diploma. But Suzie Izmarian and Mgr. Bob Newman, I called the Mayor's office yesterday, cause I think that you 2 should have a slap on the hand higher than your boss there Jan Robinson..... one thing at the time, as I am busy looking for affordable housing, I will get to you one at the time. U have no right, to take my right to work or refuse to give me your useless employment agencies, that said they could not place me. Besides that course I have 20+ years experience, fully bilingual and 85 wpm keyboarding skills. Ah! I don't want no govt jobs either, as I actually want to work when I go to work ha ha. Human Rights Commission and legal services here should be able to help me along with the names I got to deal with you 2's from the Mayor's office. Please publish this one for me! |
| By: Estelle Leclerc Payant on 07/09/2009 |
| Oh this is for ICE COLD - Speaking for myself ha ha, I will crank out as many kids as I want with people like yourself who walk away and don't pay. Yours truly ICE COLD! Oh I'm pregnant again guess I will need a new townhouse paid by government. ha ha |
| By: Estelle Leclerc Payant on 07/09/2009 |
| Erin, if you live at Huron Pines single or with a family you are living on a low income... So us folks who are full time OWorks or not or ODSP, we are all low income. |
| By: Estelle Leclerc Payant on 07/09/2009 |
| I just found this page and although I do believe in affordable housing for everyone, I take offense at some of the comments. First of all, I'm sorry that life hasn't been fair, but in reality life very rarely is. So when we need temporary assistance it's nice to know welfare is there. It's not meant to provide lifetime "pay checks", or a middle class lifestyle, it's emergency relief! Secondly, If you have that kind of education, you should have a job! How dare our government throw away $40,00.00 on someone not interested in working, just sitting on their asses complaining about how little they're able to get from the system. I went on welfare when I left my first husband. I hated it and was ashamed each time I'd go into the bank to deposit it, so I took one of the training course jobs, offered by welfare. It paid less than welfare, but because I was willing to try, welfare paid the difference, between the two. They also helped with travel expenses and daycare. Through it, I worked my way up, until I reached management level. I understand there are people living on the system who through no fault of their own, need it. Unfortunately, for every one of those decent people there are five others who are more than capable of working, but chose not to. If they do decide to work, it's only to be paid under the table. That way they can still collect their monthly welfare check. |
| By: dorothy on 10/26/2009 |
| After reading all the comments posted I have to agree with Dorothy. OW should be used to help people who can't get a job because: they are new to this country and don't speak english, need help because they lost their job, they're single mothers and need OW to supplement some income..... etc. But most people who are on OW just don't want to work, and we the working class citizens are the ones paying out to keep them being lazy. There is people out there who have been on Welfare for 10, 15,even 20 years. That is abusing the system, and Canada is great for helping out but the government should really come down hard on these people. Sometimes OW refuses or hardley helps people who need it but keeps giving tons of money away to poeple who just dont want to do anything for themselves or society. |
| By: emy on 03/03/2010 |
|
|
|
