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Keith Ward Commissioner of Human Services Region of Peel
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Nov 16, 2007 - 7:07 PM
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Just so you know

Dear Editor:
Re: Editorial titled "Units needed now,” in the Oct. 26 edition.
The Region of Peel appreciates The Mississauga News' stated support for needed affordable housing.
I want to clarify that the Region of Peel has been working at providing affordable housing options in Mississauga since 2001. At that time, Regional Council, frustrated by the complete lack of federal or provincial support, fully funded the first 163-unit affordable building for seniors to be constructed since 1995.
Thankfully, in cooperation with the federal and provincial governments under the Affordable housing program, the Region has since added an additional 204 affordable units for seniors and for youth and families in transition in Mississauga. Two-hundred units for seniors and for youths and families in transition in Mississauga.
There are 200 units for seniors and singles currently under construction in downtown Brampton. A 26-unit expansion of an existing seniors building in Caledon East has just broken ground.
The most recent 269-unit announcement takes advantage of available funding under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program, which has made possible the first permanent family units to be constructed in Peel since the cancellation of the non-profit housing program in 1995. We are grateful to finally be able to do something for families who confront a totally unacceptable 21-year wait.
We take pride in steps taken to date and many in our community will benefit from these new housing opportunities. But the huge backlog of unmet need, and growth which far outpaces new funding commitments, mean more and more people will be forced into desperation. We must all, like The News, advocate for funds from all levels of government to ensure that the momentum to provide new affordable housing continues.
As noted in your editorial, proper and affordable housing is the cornerstone of a healthy community. Surely, everyone can agree on that, and we can hope that this common sense will prevail in funding decisions.