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Re: [CUPE healthcare list] seniors housing in London: City to get $12.8M for social housing ; RENOVATION AND RETROFIT PROGRAM

Jennifer:

 

     Great article on affordable social housing except Fontana’s last comment about “he wants the private sector to work closely with all three levels of government to build more affordable housing to keep up with the demand.”

 

     We are presently in the early stages of a fight to stop P3’s exactly like that on PEI for affordable seniors and persons with disability housing projects in favour of public ownership which ahs always been the case on PEI.   (see www.cupepei.ca )

 

     We need to be wary of such “partnering”.

 

In solidarity

 

Bill A. McKinnon
CUPE National Representative

 

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From: healthcare-bounces@lists.cupe.ca [mailto:healthcare-bounces@lists.cupe.ca] On Behalf Of Jennifer Whiteside
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:25 AM
To: healthcare@lists.cupe.ca
Subject: [CUPE healthcare list] seniors housing in London: City to get $12.8M for social housing ; RENOVATION AND RETROFIT PROGRAM

 

City to get $12.8M for social housing ; RENOVATION AND RETROFIT PROGRAM

The London Free Press
Wed Mar 16 2011
Page: A3
Section: News
Byline: DALE CARRUTHERS, THE LONDON FREE PRESS

Jan Cole loves where she lives.

Cole, a resident of Trinity Place, an affordable housing facility for London seniors, was among more than a dozen residents on hand Tuesday for an announcement that millions of dollars will be poured into repairs for more than 5,000 social housing units -- the equivalent of a small town -- in London.

The $12.8 million is coming from the federal and provincial governments, with Diane Finley, federal Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, delivering the news.

"I think Trinity is a wonderful place to live," said Cole. "It's partway between independent living, but not nursing home living. So it's a very, very nice place.

"There's PSWs (personal service workers) on staff. I have 13 meals a week. I don't have to cook."

Under the Social Housing Renovation and Retrofit Program, which is funding 73 projects to repair 5,062 existing social housing units, Trinity will receive $93,000 for renovations, including the installation of new windows.

Finley said the initiative will help to make sure "people do have the opportunity to live with safety and dignity."

The move, Finley added, will also boost the economy.

"Because we're talking about renovation construction, which creates jobs immediately, and that construction work also uses up to 80% Canadian materials, so that creates even more jobs while providing a lasting benefit for some people who really need a hand."

Mayor Joe Fontana, a former federal housing minister, applauded the announcement.

"Housing is a lot more than just bricks and mortar -- it's about people, dignity, security and independence. So we're really pleased with this announcement," he said.

Fontana said he wants the private sector to work closely with all three levels of government to build more affordable housing to keep up with the demand.

"The waiting lists are long, and we need to make sure everyone is looked after," Fontana said.

London-Middlesex has 8,085 social housing units, with 3,900 people on a waiting list.

dale.carruthers@sunmedia.ca twitter.com/DaleatLFPress

- - -

BY THE NUMBERS

$12.8 million: Funding for upgrades to social housing

5,062: Units to be upgraded

8,085: Social housing units in London-Middlesex

3,900: People waiting to get social housing

© 2011 Sun Media Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

 

Jennifer Whiteside

Senior Officer/Agente principale

Research, Job Evaluation and Health & Safety Branch/

Service de la recherche, de l’évaluation des emplois et de la santé-sécurité

Canadian Union of Public Employees/SCFP

1375 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, ON K1G 0Z7

(613) 237-1590, x 248