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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday October 6, 2007 - 7 Single mother speaks up for affordable housing "We need affordable housing in this There's a desperate need to bridge community. There is the affordable housing gap in Halton. a gap. We must This was the message Halton resi- come up with a way dent Crystal Orvis delivered to Halton to bridge that gap." SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER OCTOBER LINEN SALE 20% OFF ALL ORDERS By Melanie Hennessey Region's health and social services committee last week as she shared her story about her search for local inexpensive housing. Several years ago when Orvis first became a single mom of two young children, she needed to find a place to live that fit her budget. She managed to secure a small, twobedroom apartment to rent in Georgetown for $850 a month, and after that part of a rental home in Acton for $910 a month. Little did she know that her problems had just begun in the Acton home, as the first winter revealed it was barely insulated. Combine that with other problems like mould and a leaky roof, and things looked pretty dismal for the Orvis family. "Our struggle continued on and on," she said. But Orvis' prayers were recently answered when she found out she and her children had been chosen as the recipients of a Habitat for Humanity Home in Georgetown. "It was a dream come true," she said emotionally. "Now, for the first time, my children and I are home." While things may be easier for Orvis these days, she's still pursuing the affordable housing issue as a participant in Halton's Voices for Housing Choices initiative, a panel of community members who are helping put a human face on local housing needs. "We need affordable housing in this community," Orvis said. "There is a gap. We must come up with a way to bridge that gap." The Region is in the process of implementing its Comprehensive Housing Strategy, which aims to address Halton's housing needs until 2015. The committee took things one step further Tuesday in suggesting something should be done to make a vacant subdivision in Oakville available for affordable housing. The estimated 80-90 homes at the northwest corner of Dorval Drive and Rebecca Street are owned by the Department of National Defence (DND). While the property has been declared surplus to the department's needs, Halton Commissioner of Social and Community Services Adelina Urbanski said staff can't get a clear answer on what the next steps in the process entail. Oakville Councillor Jeff Knoll suggested approaching the DND with a proposal, noting it's a "crying shame" to have the homes just sitting there empty when so many people need affordable housing. "I don't think people understand the Affordable housing advocate Crystal Orvis disgrace this is," he said. Halton Hills Councillor Clark Somerville recommended getting the local MPs onside with the initiative. "We're going to need them to go to bat for us," he noted. Milton Councillor Colin Best went on to make a motion authorizing staff to create such a proposal to help secure either temporary or permanent housing on the lands to address Halton's needs. It also calls for the item to be circulated to the region's MPs. The committee supported the resolution. Affordable housing contest Calling all high school students between Grades 10 and 12. The Region is hosting its first annual Be a Hero. Be a Voice for Affordable Housing contest and is seeking entries that raise awareness about the need for more affordable housing in Halton. Students from both school boards can participate with an entry of their choice, such as a video, song or poster that captures why Halton needs more affordable housing. The grand prize winner will receive $500. The runner up will get $250 and four honourable mentions will receive $100 each. Winners will be announced and all entries will be on display at an awards ceremony on Nov. 21. Submissions for the contest are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2. Students can visit www.halton.ca for contest materials and contact Jen Lenard-Benson at 905-8256000, ext. 4432 for more information. Think Green. Be Cool. Breathe Easy. CABINET REFACING AFTER after HUGE CENTRAL AIR & FURNACE $ Up to BEST PRICES EVER! SALE 4700 AND * Cash Back UP TO $2400 GOV. CASH BACK UP TO $1500 MANUFACTURERS CASH BACK + NO PAYMENT! NO INTEREST! FOR 6 MONTHS *OAC before BEFORE UP TO $800 HYDRO CASH BACK *Call for details. Financing Available + 8 Locations To Serve You Better! 905-849-4998 www.aireone.com 1-888-827-2665