Building-Citizen-Advocacy-for-Affordable-Housing-in-Niagara-Social-Justice-FINAL

Building Citizen Advocacy for
Affordable Housing in Niagara

History of Social
Housing in Niagara
Dick Halverson
Development Consultant

Almshouses
• Funded by alms
(donations for the needy)
and taxes
• Grew out of 10 th century
hospices for pilgrims
• Almshouses still active in
Britain serving 35,000
Burford England – Built 1457, rebuilt 1829
Served 10 widowed and single women

Current co-op building – 1984

Houses of Refuge
• Related to 18 th c. British
workhouses.
• Enlightened social movement to
serve the deserving poor
• Houses of Refuge Act of 1890 –
grants to counties to purchase
45 acres of farm land
Dunnville House of Refuge – by
1905 all counties were required to
have a house of refuge.
• Local reeve and council decided
who was deserving
• Gradually served only seniors

Common Themes to 1945
• Institutional – Sick, weak, insane, elderly, orphaned, or poor.
All were inmates.
• Work is essential character building
• Deserving vs. Undeserving Poor
• Segregated – out in the country, at the edge of town,
separate buildings.
• Governments augmenting individual or church led charity

First Federal Program
1945 Veteran’s Housing

Ontario Housing Corporation
1967- 1975
84,000 Units
Regent Park, Toronto
McLaughlin St., Welland

Federal / Provincial Programs
• 1978 – 1992 Federal and then Provincial programs (some combined)
– New Construction (mostly)
• Subsidized interest rates for 35 to 50 years
• Operating subsidies
• Maximum unit costs for construction leading to poor quality
buildings
• Private non-profit and cooperatives
– Rent Supplements for private rentals

Programs Stop and Start
• 1993 Feds announce it will not fund new programs with
mortgage subsidies
• 1995 394 projects cancelled in one day of “common sense”
• 2001 Housing devolved to municipalities
• 2005 Canada / Ontario Affordable Housing Program (AHP)
– Grants (roughly 60% of costs) to build units rented at 80% of
market average for 25 years
– Non-profit and for-profit developers

Funding Changes Again
• 2007 Focus starts to turn to rehabilitation and retrofit of old
stock
• 2009 Families and singles remain greatest need. Feds
require new AHP units be for seniors and disabled only.
• 2010 Province affirms community based planning for housing
and homelessness solutions
• 2011 “New” funding – all programs now in one pot but less
money - Very little new housing

Current Mix in Ontario
Municipal Non-Profits
238,000 Units

Common Themes After 1945
• Institutional – Affordable housing sector created as advocates
and providers - CHFC, ONPHA
• More than housing is needed supportive programs for
mental health, life skills training
• Segregation of the poor – still kept apart at the edge of town,
separate buildings/complexes
• Resentment – NIMBY (“Not in my backyard!”) deserving vs.
undeserving
• Governments playing hot potato with funding

Niagara
Snapshot
Lora Beckwith
General Manager

What is Unaffordable Housing?
Housing is considered unaffordable when 30% or more of a
household’s income goes towards shelter costs
Homeowners
• There are 118,785 owner households in the Niagara CMA
• 22,535 (19%) of these households are in unaffordable housing
• Average income: $35,352
• On average these households exceed their monthly housing
budget by $491
Rental Units
• There are 40,855 rental households in Niagara CMA
• 17,830 (43.6%) of these households are in unaffordable housing.
• Average income: $21,103
• On average these households exceed their monthly housing
budget by $336
Statistics Canada, National Household Survey, 2011

Who in Niagara is living in
unaffordable housing?
Households living in unaffordable housing broken down by household type
38.4% of all lone parent households are living in unaffordable
housing compared to 14.7% of two parent households

Income and Employment in Niagara
Unemployment in Niagara is 8.6% this is the highest unemployment
rate of all major metropolitan areas across Canada
$40,000 and Over
68.6% (119,885 households)
$30,000 - $39,999
10.3% (17,970 households)
$20,000 - $29,999
10.0% (17,535 households)
$10,000 - $19,999
7.8% (13,660 households)
$0 - $ 9,999
3.2% (5,625 households)
• 21% of households in Niagara have
an income of less than $30,000
• Sales and service occupations
make up 30% of jobs in Niagara
• An affordable rent for an individual
making minimum wage would be
$430 per month
• Average market rent:
– One Bedroom- $733
– Two Bedroom- $872
– Three Bedroom- $1,012

Rental Housing
The rental housing in Niagara consists of older stock with
considerable capital replacement needs
• The rental stock in Niagara is aging, with 58% of units built over 40
years ago
– Only 3% of the current private market rental stock in Niagara has
been built between 2001 and 2011 compared to 7.8% in Ontario
– Estimates indicate a need for capital funding over the next 10
years in excess of $130 million for the existing affordable
housing stock
• Construction of purpose built rental housing is down as it is not
considered as good an investment compared to ownership
development

Affordable Housing Waiting List
Currently households wait between 1.25 and 12 years
to get into housing depending on
the location and type of unit they request
• Over 6,000 households (11,015 people) are on the affordable
housing waiting list in Niagara:
– 37.2 % are senior households
– 29.3 % are households without dependents
– 33.4 % are households with dependents
• Over the past 10 years the waiting list has increased by 60%

Affordable Housing Stock
There are over 8,200 units of affordable housing in Niagara under various programs
Bach. 1 Bed 2 Bed 3 Bed 4 Bed 5 Bed
Total
Units
NRH Owned 70 1,761 208 509 165 45 2,758
Housing Provider
48 1,381 1,382 1,101 69 2 3,983
Rent Supplement 456 159 30 1 0 646
New Development 530
Housing Allowances 285
Total 118 3,531 1,749 1,640 235 47 8202
• The majority of bachelor and one bedroom units are mandated for seniors.
• Only 11.5% of the current stock is available for households between the ages of
16 and 54. These households have the longest wait times for affordable
housing.

Consequences of Poverty
The Report “Are the Consequences of Poverty Holding Niagara Back?”
by the Niagara Community Observatory indicates that poverty costs Niagara
$1.38 billion per year
Without secure housing it is difficult for individuals or families
to succeed in other areas.

10-year Housing and Homelessness
The plan is based on four goals:
Action Plan (HHAP)
Developed through consultation with residents, service providers and
other stakeholders, the HHAP considers the entire housing continuum
and provides a ten year plan to achieve the vision of “A Home for All”
• Goal 1: Housing people who do not have a home
Improve access to services, invest in programs (Housing First, transitional housing,
homelessness prevention etc.)
• Goal 2: Helping people find and retain their home
Expand supports and financial assistance to assist households
• Goal 3: Increasing opportunities and options across the housing
continuum
Retain, protect and increase the supply of rental housing and affordable housing
through financial incentives and planning policies
• Goal 4: Building capacity & improving the effectiveness of the housing
system
Increase housing awareness and coordinate resources

On the Ground
Look at Affordable Housing
Lori Beech
Executive Director

Transitional Supportive Housing
•27 unit apartment security
building
•Temporary subsidized housing
•Intake Worker
•Life Skills Programs
•On-site Support Workers
•Early Learning Centre
Bethlehem Place, Welland Ave., St. Catharines

Permanent Supported Housing
•Two 40 apartment security
buildings in Niagara Falls and St.
Catharines with four units in each
for people with disabilities
•Three community homes with 10
apartments
•13 Households in Housing First
rental units
•Integrated Living Model Approach
•On-site Support Workers
Kenmore Court, Kalar Road, Niagara Falls

Community Outreach Programs
•Four Early Learning Centres
•Activities and Community Development
program at Genesis Court location
•Skills of Success
•Community Support Workers

Referral Sources
/ Reasons for Referral
Homelessness
•At Risk of Homelessness
•Homelessness
Poverty
•Low income
Wayside
House
Self Referrals
Family Breakdown
•Needing Basic Life Skills
•Parenting Skills Needed
•Family Breakdown
•Unfamiliar with Resources
•Child Reunification
Abuse
•Victim of Abuse
•Victim of Domestic Violence in Past Year
•Safety Concerns
•Pattern of Domestic Violent Relationships

Support Services Critical
to Housing Success
Individualized and client-driven supports recognizes that individuals are
unique, and so are their needs.
Once housed, some people will need minimum supports while other people
will need supports for the rest of their lives. Support services may address
housing stability, health and mental health needs, and life skills.
Here’s what some of our clients said . . .
“I hope that you always have this service at your buildings because I am only one story out of a whole
building full of stories. I know that the services provided by both the Community Support Worker and
Property Manager at Kenmore Court are used regularly. I am so grateful for this service offered, and I
know in my heart my grandson and I would still be trying to open these doors to get help if these things
were not available in the building for us. Thank you, thank you, thank you for having these services
available for us!!!!”
“. . . I have joint custody of my son. I still work closely with my Community Support worker from
Bethlehem who really helped me with my custody rights and continues to meet with me on a regular
basis. I also have a great place to live through Bethlehem’s housing program. If it wasn’t for
Bethlehem helping me get back on my feet and get my son back I don’t know where I would be today.”

Housing First Model
Province wide ‘Housing First’ program is a recovery-oriented
approach to ending homelessness that centers on quickly
moving people experiencing homelessness into independent and
permanent housing and then providing additional supports and
services as needed.
Homeless Hub 2013
Affordable housing organizations such as Bethlehem:
• Partner with landlords in a positive supportive relationship
• Administer the program
– Housing First includes a component of subsidized housing
• Provide the supports specific to the individual’s needs

The Future and Advocacy
What can you do?
Dick Halverson
Development Consultant

The Likely Future
1. No new massive Federal/Provincial funding for affordable
housing
2. Proponents will have to cobble together funds – by any
means
3. Tax laws will change to provide American style private
sector investment in affordable housing
4. Alternative financing and home ownership (equity building)
will be a trend
5. Energy efficiency, CMHC flexibility, social finance,
fundraising, and partnerships will be become more
important

Municipal Contribution
• Municipalities are now funding partners
– Development Charge and fee waivers
– Land donations
– Property Tax relief or deferment
– Loan guarantees
• As of right zoning for affordable housing
– Accessory suites
– Granny flats
– Mixed use commercial/residential zoning

Advocacy
1. Support education on poverty
2. Don’t discuss deserving vs. underserving
3. Insist all have a right to safe, affordable housing, as a matter
of justice
4. Recognize most affordable housing efforts are Band-Aids,
that a lack of affordable housing is systemic, rooted in
income inequality
5. Encourage all sectors to coordinate participation - all have
a role and responsibility
6. Seek to end segregated poverty housing as normal practice
7. Advocate for a Guaranteed Livable Income

Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Federal Budget Campaign
1. Encourage your local council to pass a resolution
supporting the campaign.
2. Write a personal letter to the Minister of Employment and
Social Development Canada. (Respond to any response.)
3. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
4. Organize a housing roundtable in your community.
5. Tweet about the #housingcrunch
6. Talk to your local MP about housing issues in your
community. (Talk to council members.)

Final Comments
1. Become involved in local efforts to create, sustain, or
support affordable housing. Talk is cheap. Credibility as an
advocate comes with personal action and participation.
2. Make this personal by seeking appropriate housing for
yourself. It is hard to promote housing justice when your
own home demonstrates inequality.

Thank you!