Thunder Bay facing severe affordable housing crisis, Advocates bring urgent
message to provincial consultation
THUNDER BAY, ON,
"The momentum is growing amongst the low income community in Thunder Bay, who face many housing challenges," says
"The possibilities are just beginning," says Joy Asham, a tenant in social housing and co-chair of the Economic
45% of all tenants in Thunder Bay spend over 30% of their income on rent, while over 17% pay more than half of their income on rent, placing them in danger of becoming homeless. Between 2003-2007, rental units accounted for only 2% of all housing produced. There are 610 households on the active waitlist for social housing, a jump of almost 200 from 446 in 2008.
"Renter households in Thunder Bay are caught in a terrible squeeze between shrinking incomes and rising rents. Household income for renters dropped sharply from
"As Minister Watson wraps up the public housing consultations I hope that he takes to heart what he's heard from low-income people across Ontario," says Yutaka Dirks, of the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario and co-chair of the Housing Network of Ontario. "The housing plan has to provide solutions directed to improving the lives of people affected by housing insecurity, especially those who face higher rates of poverty such as Aboriginal and racialized communities, people with disabilities and others."
The Housing Network of Ontario (HNO) is a network of advocacy organizations and individuals with lived experience of housing insecurity who support an integrated and fully-funded affordable housing strategy. To date, the Housing Network of Ontario Declaration has been endorsed by over 400 organizations and individuals. The Declaration is available online at: www.stableandaffordable.com/content/our-declaration
For further information: For further information: or to arrange interviews with Thunder Bay advocates: Yutaka Dirks, 1-866-245-4182 xt. 5243 or (416) 597-5855 xt 5243; Michael Shapcott, (416) 972-1010 ext 231
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