www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 5, 2008 - 27 Halton high schoolers heroes for housing By Tim Foran Metroland West media Group Cheap, green and efficient. Those design details enabled a class of Acton High School students to take home a thousand dollar prize as the winners of a regional competition aimed to raise awareness of the lack of affordable housing in Halton Region. Grade 10 and 12 "To think some young students in the kids had the foresight Te c h n o l o g i c a l and creativity to come up Design class from with the design. It's just the school received remarkable." the prize Nov. 19 at an awards ceremo Stephanie O'Keefe, ny in Milton after Housing outreach Coordinator submitting archifor Halton Region tectural plans for a fully accessible, affordable town house complex. The submission included construction blueprints, `green' conservation and self-efficiency features for heating and plumbing, and even details of exterior and interior finishes. "To think some young kids had the foresight and creativity to come up with the design. It's just remarkable," said Stephanie O'Keefe, Housing Outreach Coordinator for Halton Region. O'Keefe said the students took their inspiration for the design after devising a scenario of an Acton high school athlete who becomes physically challenged after an unfortunate accident and requires affordable housing to continue living in the Region. "They took it upon themselves to design an accessible, affordable, green townhouse, " said O'Keefe. The teacher of the Technological Design class had had a student who became physically challenged in the past, said O'Keefe. The award was given as part of Halton Region's second annual `Be a Hero. Be a Voice for Affordable Housing' contest, which was open to high school students across the region. A runner-up prize of $500 was awarded to four students from Appleby College for their Youtube video `Alex's Story'. The video uses imagery and songs to show the problems caused by lack of affordable housing in Halton Region. Winning students included Dodam Ih, Jill Krajewski, Taylor Poplar and Natasha Racco. Five honourable mention awards of $100 were also given to: Spring Bachmeier and Jing Guo of Aldershot H.S.; Megan Walter and Agatha Kiwatowshi of Notre Dame S.S.; and Elizabeth Smurlick of Iroquois Ridge H.S. Winning entries and details on the program can be seen at www.halton.ca/beahero This past Saturday, November 22 was National Housing Day in Canada. In Halton Region, more than 1,800 people are on the waiting list for governmentassisted housing. In June 2006, Halton Regional Council approved a comprehensive housing strategy for the Region, which includes a plan to create 800 new units of affordable housing by 2015. Approximately 120 of them are currently being built. As well, 200 rental supplements have been handed out since 2002, states the Region. # 1 Chrysler Retailer in Halton LIFE Join us Saturday, Dec. 6 for pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus and Candy Canes! Bring in non-perishable food items to help support the Halton Women's Shelter FREE ROG EN WITH EVERY PURCHASE... NIT FRE E E FRE O R IL FO COMPLETE DETAIL WITH 5 YEARS OF PURCHASE FREE 0 $120 E VALU EE FR FOR LY AT ON QUE UNI SLER Y CHR 06 Chrysler 300C manager's blowout 07 Dodge Grand Caravan Stow 'n Go 08 Jeep Patriot FWD $ 13,999 Power everything, well equipped Power options, tinted glass, keyless entry 1 owner, Hemi, chrome wheels, power sunroof, loaded 2005 Jeep TJ QUICK SALE $ 16,999 MUST SEE $ 16,999 $ 08 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited 08 Chrysler Sebring Limited 13,999 2004 Chrysler Concorde Ltd Auto, dual tops, air conditioning, wholesale price Auto, dual tops, 18" alloy wheels, power everything, 4x4 Leather seats, heated seats, chrome wheels, only 5400 km QUICK SALE $ 23,999 EXEC $ DRIVEN 18,999 $ 1 owner, chrome wheels, sunroof, every option 7,999 08 Dodge Avenger 07 Jeep Wrangler X 2008 Dodge Charger 3.5L, power windows, alloy wheels, keyless entry Spoiler, sport package, 18" wheels, fog lights, only 13,000 km Air conditioning, 4x4, alloy wheels, dual top EXEC $ DRIVEN 16,999 QUICK SALE $ 18,999 $ 16,999 QEW WALKERS All vehicles are not as shown. All prices do not include taxes, admin, etching fees. All new vehicles do not include freight, taxes, fuel taxes. Please see Unique Chrysler for full details. 915 Walkers Line at the QEW 1-888-692-1130 toll free GUELPH HARVESTER You can find us on the Web at: www.uniquechrysler.com