Affordable housing remains unaffordable for Region

Facing a growing list of thousands of families awaiting affordable homes, Niagara Regional Housing representatives are hoping for additional funding to meet the demand.

NRH’s chief executive officer Dan Troke was at Thursday’s Niagara budget committee meeting, discussing the 1.5 per cent funding increase needed to help the organization reduce the waiting list that is now at more than 6,180 households.

“We have a large wait list, but at the same time there are a lot of people who are trying things, which is really positioning the Region well to be able to take advantage of many of those things that are coming down the pipes,” Troke said, referring to initiatives like the federal government’s national housing strategy announced Wednesday.

Niagara’s share of the organization’s proposed budget will increase by $ 404,605, for a total of $ 27.4- million from Region coffers.

Additional funding includes $ 14 million from tenants, and $ 11.8 million from upper- tier governments for a total 2018 budget of $ 53 million.

“We need that commitment. We need all hands on deck,” said Thorold Coun. Henry D’Angela, Niagara Regional Housing board chair.

“Despite financial and social pressures I believe we are well positioned for a period of development and renewal,” he said.

The NRH budget will be considered at the Dec. 7 regional council meeting.

We need that commitment. We need all hands on deck.” Thorold Coun. Henry D’Angela