Affordable housing (which includes social housing and market rental housing, lodging houses, and many other housing forms) and housing that is accessible and barrier-free help build attractive, liveable and economically competitive communities. Housing is the foundation for stable living conditions, and a key starting point for financial stability and leaves most feeling included in the community and a municipality should be the facilitators of such a movement.

Affordable housing can take many forms, such as rooming or lodging houses, group homes, social and supportive housing, boarding houses, institutional care homes and transitional housing. Many people face diverse barriers to securing affordable housing because of discrimination based on grounds of the Ontario Human Rights Code, such as race, disability, family status or because they are in receipt of public assistance, regardless they have basic human needs which include shelter.

There is an acknowledged need for affordable housing in Welland – and there are existing tools and best practices Welland can implement to support, assist and tackle the affordable housing issue. Did you know under the Municipal Act, 2001, municipalities have broad powers to pass bylaws (subject to certain limits) on matters such as health, safety and well-being of the municipality, and to protect persons and property.

These existing tools can play a vital role in making sure Welland residents can at least attain affordable housing.

Currently, I am unaware of any by-laws or policies being used in Welland to assist in affordable housing. Welland should be a leader and consider also taking steps to apply a human rights lens to decisions that could result in supporting families who face affordable housing barriers, one simply being by ensuring capital revitalization projects don’t raise property taxes.

 In my platform, located on my website I mention; Immediate action on affordable, sustainable housing and rent, and I also mention that for each and every platform I have a solid solution.

Now should I be successful in my bid for council, I will implement and introduce in November, that the council of Welland seek staff to immediately establish a professional community partnership (for the long term) with the non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity has championed itself on the model of affordable homeownership for years, bridging the gap for low-income, working families, by providing them with the opportunity to purchase their own homes, establishing their families in the community and participating in them as well.

Certainly, Welland has sold land to Habitat Niagara from time to time but the time has come now for Welland to finally commit to solving the problem of affordable housing by forging a relationship with Habitat Niagara that has been in our neighbourhood already and finally welcome them to Welland. Habitat Niagara has created stable and secure housing for hardworking local families and by the end of this year, will have constructed 71 homes in Niagara.

It is really possible for affordable housing to happen in Welland and this is the path to get there.

This opportunity will make an impact on the affordable housing crisis in Welland and will allow families to achieve greater stability. Rest assured,  I will work to make this happen in our city and make it happen sooner rather than later, our families, and our community have waited long enough for affordable housing and Welland needs to commit to taking care of its residents who have meet challenges with affordable housing.

For more information on my campaign, my platforms or to meet me visit SylviaForWard4Welland.ca

Authorized by the Official Agent for the Sylvia Parrotta for Ward 4 Welland Campaign