Ontario's Long Term Affordable Housing Strategy

Consultation Information

UPDATE: The Province has released important information on the Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy (LTAHS) consultations.

12 consultation sessions will be held across the province between June and September.

Consultation Sessions:  Locations and Dates
 

Specific information on consultation venues is available here. Please note that members of the public planning to attend a session must pre-register at www.ontario.ca/housingstrategy.  We strongly encourage members to sign-up for these sessions as quickly as possible to ensure that they can attend. 

Consultation sessions will be in the form of roundtable facilitated discussions with report-backs to the larger group. Participants will be asked to discuss the following five questions:

1. What specific roles should each of the housing partners play in the delivery of affordable housing?
2. What changes are needed to our housing programs to better use resources and improve access to affordable housing? Changes could include modifications to the Affordable Housing Program of the simplification of housing and homelessness programs.
3. What changes are required to the Social Housing Reform Act to reduce the regulatory burden and improve the management of social housing?
4. What creative new ideas could improve the current housing system? This could include new planning tools, innovative financial options and new green technologies.
5. What should be used as the housing indicator for Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy? In this context, what do terms like affordable, adequate and suitable mean to you?

ONPHA is currently developing suggested responses to these questions to help members frame their individual responses. In the meantime, please review some of the resources listed below for more information on ONPHA's position on some of the subjects discussed in these questions.

There are several other ways to get involved with the consultations, including written submissions and an online questionnaire.  Visit www.ontario.ca/housingstrategy.

Related Information and Resources

ONPHA Submissions and Reports

ONPHA already has information related to some of the topics included in the five questions above.

To learn more about ONPHA's recommendation for a housing indicator for Ontario, read Suggestions for an Indicator to Measure Trends in Housing Induced Poverty.

For information on the Affordable Housing Program (AHP), read ONPHA's AHP Recommendations.

ONPHA's 2008 AGM Resolution

ONPHA's membership passed a resolution at the 2008 Annual General Meeting on the principles and minimum components needed for an effective provincial affordable housing strategy.  The resolution is available here.

Other Ways to Get Involved

The Wellesley Institute, ONPHA and several other sector organizations have partnered to raise awareness about affordable housing issues in Ontario. Visit www.stableandaffordable.com to learn more about what you can do to help ensure everyone in Ontario has a safe and affordable home.

The Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) and the Social Housing Services Corporation (SHSC) are holding 15 local forums to discuss the upcoming strategy consultations. Click here for more information.