Housing News

Check back here for all the latest news happenings in the area of housing law.

Maintenance Tips for Tenants Workshop - July 23, 2010 - Trenton

On July 23, 2010, tenants can come to the Quinte West Public Library in Trenton (7 Creswell Drive, 1st Floor), between 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm for a tenants workshop on maintenance and repair issues.

Clinic staff will be on hand to provide information about tenant rights, assist in preparing tenant applications to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) and provide community referrals. Tenants should bring photos, letters or other things relevant to their maintenance issue.

Drop in on the 23rd (no appointment necessary) or call the clinic for more info.

We will be holding tenant workshops in Bancroft and Madoc in August.

Printable Flyer

Charter Challenge: The Right to Adequate Housing in Canada

On May 26, 2010, formerly and currently homeless Ontarians launched a landmark legal challenge against the federal and provincial governments. Joined by housing advocates and their lawyers, the individuals are seeking a Court declaration that Canada and Ontario have violated their rights under section 7 and section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms by creating and maintaining conditions that lead to and sustain homelessness and inadequate housing.

The Applicants’ lawyers will argue that both the Charter and international law require that Federal and Provincial governments implement effective housing strategies that will reduce and eventually eliminate homelessness and sub-standard living conditions.

Read more on the Right to Housing blog at http://righttohousing.wordpress.com/ or in the May 26th Globe and Mail article.

Local group gets funding for affordable housing

(From the Belleville Intelligencer, article ID #2261946)

Posted By JANET RICHARDS, QMI AGENCY

Posted 7 days ago

Belleville will soon be home to a new transitional house for adults thanks to the Federal Homelessness Partnering Strategy.

All Together Affordable Housing Corporation was successful in its application to the $237,000 fund, administered by Hastings County and reviewed by the Community Advisory Board.

The project was one of two submitted to the board for consideration. Social services administrative assistant Carmela Ruberto said the successful application scored slightly higher because it met the requirements to develop supportive housing and provided sufficient support services for clients as set out in the Belleville Community Plan.

All Together Affordable Housing plans to use the funds to purchase, renovate and maintain supportive affordable housing in a house in Belleville's west-end.

The house will accommodate five to six individuals and include a common room and a counselling room.

In the past, three transitional houses for the Canadian Mental Health Association have been funded through the homelessness partnering strategy along with the Salvation Army warm room.

Ruberto said All Together Affordable Housing has partnered with a number of other agencies and organizations to put supports in place for its clients.

All Together is a charitable nonprofit corporation with a mandate to provide non-profit accommodations for low-income individuals, including seniors, people with disabilities, victims of domestic violence and adults with mental disabilities.

Visit http://all-together.ca/, to learn more about All Together Affordable Housing Corporation.

Annual Forum on Housing Held November 19, 2009

The annual forum hosted by the Affordable Housing Action Network (AHAN) attracted more than 65 people. The session was interactive and provided opportunities for individuals from varying backgrounds to provide input. Gina Cockburn, clinic lawyer and chair of the AHAN steering committee was there as well as local politicians. Read more about it in the Community Press article, December 3rd.

See page 21 of the online Community Press issue (PDF, 41 mb, 64 pgs), December 3, 2009.

Information on Energy Contracts

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has a new website providing information on energy contracts. The Energy Choice is Yours site is a new consumer information initiative - created to help energy consumers become more aware of their rights, options and responsibilities. Read their tip sheets on before and after signing a contract and a list of historical natural gas and electricity prices. The OEB also has brochures and information on their site as well as a page on Understanding Your Bill Rates and Prices.

If you are having a problem with an energy supplier, contact the OEB consumer relations department.

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