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B24 - The Canadian Champion, Friday, June 30, 2006 Living a Lifetime in Halton Joyce Savoline REGIONAL CHAIRMAN a Residents of lalton should have the opportunity Š to remain in their own cOm nllity, despite changes in circumstance, financial or physical need. This philosophy is fundanental to the development of our Coniprehensive Housing Strategv (CHS). As a government, we have a responsibility for the health and well-being of ail our residents. We are charged with creating a community that is inclusive, socially sustainable and economically competitive. We can only do this by ensuring a range and mix of housing types, affordability levels and accessibility features. This housing mix would allow first time buyers, such as our grown children, to move back to our community tipon completion of their education. This housing mix would allow empty nesters the ability to downsize but stay in Halton. We need a mix of housing - both public and prvate - to meet a mix of needs. Halton Regional Council identified the creation of a housing strategy as an important goal in its 2004-2006 Strategic Plan and struck a Steering Committee to address the issue. The result, following a year of consultations with the community and stakeholders, extensive research and dialogue, was a Comprehensive Housing Strategy that identifies a range of housing types for all incomes and all stages of life. This includes emergency shelters and government assisted housing to a range of private sector affordable housing. Halton's Comprehensive Housing Strategy will guide our efforts towards establishing housing that meets the diverse needs of our community. The success of the CHS and the vision it lays out will depend on continued support from ail orders of government, as well as the understanding and support of Halton residents, business leaders and housing partners. I encourage you to visit www.halton.ca to learn more about the strategy and to contact us with your questions and comments. Maintaining a Healthy Community An investnent in housing is an investnent in naintaining a healthy community across Halton. We ail nder stand that when people are well-housed, it helps them to live more stable lives. This often reduces their need for other haman services and when housing is liveable and "visit-able" for those with physical limitations, it supports independent living. These are some of the principles we needed to consider in the development of a Comprehensive Housing Strategy for Halton. To ensure Halton remains a healthy, vibrant community in which to work and live, we need a housing market that provides choices for all residents. John Armstong Terrace, affordable housing in Halton Hills. officiais and staff consulted with stakeholders and residents within the community to look at critical housing gaps. The Comprehensive Housing Strategy was established and five major strategic directions and strategies, along with a set of 21 short-term and 18 long-term priorities with specific recommendations for action, was developed. The next step will be to create a detailed work plan to A broad range of housing alternatives provides substantial benefits to the community. A mix of density and affordability can support viable public transportation which leads to better air quality and physical health. A supply of varied housing options is also part of ensuring a competitive economic environment as businesses look at housing options for their employees when they consider expanding or locating in Halton. There is no question that housing is important for the overall health of a community. That is why a committee consisting of Halton elected Halton's Comprehensive Housing Strategy Strategic Directions 1 Promoting Healthy Communities 2 Increasing and Preserving the Supply of Affordable Housing 3 Increasing and Preserving the Supply of Assisted Housing implement the CHS. There is much work to be done, but 4 Supporting Independent Living the Comprehensive Housing Strategy has provided us with Retaining and Regaining Housi clear direction to guide us as (focusing on crisis services and we move forward. nousing-related supports) ng