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23 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,A ugust 26,2021 insidehalton.com Metroland's Halton newspapers reached out to members of their Halton Advisory Council to share their views on local issues in conjunction with the fed- eral election. Here's the first part of a three-part se- ries. As a society, we all ac- knowledge that everyone has a right to safe, decent, permanent and affordable housing. Yet, in Halton, recent da- ta shows a wait list of 3,241 for subsidized or rent- geared-to-income housing. The Region of Halton has made great strides in ad- dressing homelessness, but the reality is that a wait list of that high a number can take years to fulfil. Lack of affordable hous- ing has become a key driver of core housing, as we see the demand for affordable housing continue to grow while the cost of housing and income inequality ex- pand. In our increasing num- bers of working poor households, we see crowd- ed conditions and residents working multiple jobs to cover expenses. People who experience homeless- ness and housing insecuri- ty are more likely to suffer from physical and mental illness, poverty, discrimi- nation and violence. We know that house- holds led by women are dis- proportionately re- presented here, and also that Indigenous people, people with disabilities, immigrants and refugees, youth and older adults and members of racialized communities face high lev- els of housing insecurity. One of the first things we need to do is redefine what affordable housing actually is. The current outdated formula consid- ers affordable housing to be rentals in which the ten- ant pays no more than 30 per cent of their pre-tax in- come on housing. A healthy housing va- cancy rate for a municipal- ity is considered to be 3 per cent, yet Halton has been significantly lower than that for more than a de- cade. Low vacancy rates means landlords are able to ask for and receive higher monthly rents. Many people working minimum wage jobs or re- ceiving Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program income simply cannot afford the high rents we are seeing across Halton. There is a great deal of work being done to ensure that new development in Halton includes a portion of affordable housing, but that definition of what is or is not considered afford- able housing has to change to truly have an impact. There is also a housing supply crisis right now. We need to see more emphasis put on purpose-built rental housing. That requires co- operation and commit- ment from all levels of gov- ernment. There needs to be investments in nonmarket solutions, such as co-oper- ative and rent-geared-to- income housing, as well as funding support for new construction of affordable rental housing. This needs to be accom- panied by low-cost public funding for the mainte- nance and repair of exist- ing social housing stock. Affordable housing is not a handout; it is a neces- sity. Housing is much more than a roof over your head. It is a determiner of one's quality of life -- it leads to better mental and physical health, financial stability and security. Quality affordable housing has the ability to transform communities while it provides hope and a better life to those in need. Investments in the cre- ation of more affordable housing units, repurposing existing properties to meet social housing needs and purpose-built rental hous- ing, along with an updated formula to determine what affordable housing actual- ly means, are the tools all levels of government must implement if we are ever going to be able to provide all individuals and families with access to stable, qual- ity affordable housing. Donna Danielli is the executive director of Milton Transitional Housing. She can be reached at don- na.danielli@mthmilton.ca. AFFORDABLE HOUSING: A RIGHT WE ALL SHARE OPINION insidehalton.com /vote2021 STRIDES MADE IN TACKLING HOMELESSNESS, BUT MORE WORK NEEDED, WRITES DONNA DANIELLI DONNA DANIELLI Column "One of the first things we need to do is redefine what affordable housing actually is." IntroducIng 833 calder road, steps to rattray Marsh | $2,198,800 open house this sunday,august 29th 2:00-4:00pm (masks mandatory) call Kim for further details (905)599-9745 Check out this gorgeous, 4+1 - Bedroom,4 - Bathroom home,on 1/4 acre property, just steps from Rattray Marsh,on a quiet family-friendly street. Renovated Kitchen with Breakfast Bar next to the grand Family Room with Fireplace +Walk-out to upper deck. Large Primary Bedroom has a renovated 3-pc Ensuite. Basement is mostly ground-level and features a Walk-out to patio and two large principal rooms - the Rec Rm with Fireplace andWet Bar,and,an extra-large Office,both with picture windows overlooking the tranquil backyard.5th Bdrm and 3-pc Bath also on this level.Many upgrades including the new Roof (2021). Top 3% (2020) Kim MacKay B.A., REALTOR® Call: (905) 599-9745 Email: kmackay@royallepage.ca www.kimmackay.ca Kevin & Tina Girard Sales Representative Royal LePage State Realty Office: 905-574-7441 Direct: 905-802-4769 Web: www.GirardTeam.ca 49 Cross Street, Dundas $1,295,000 7606 Canborough Rd, Dunnville $1,495,000 Spectacular 3+1 bed Victorian semi in the Heritage District only steps to Dundas Driving Park and downtown shops. Filled with exquisite character and architectural features. Finished walkout basement with high ceilings. Large 50 x 105 ft. Landscaped property overlooking tranquil ravine and stream behind. 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