Long line waiting for housing in Toronto

Social welfare, housing advocates meet to discuss how best to provide affordable homes in the city
Apr 27, 2008 04:30 AM
Francine Kopun
Toronto Star

If Toronto is serious about fighting homelessness, it must make saying "Not In My BackYard" a taboo, a housing forum has been told.

"The city has to take a strong enough stand against NIMBYs that they realize it's not okay to speak that way," Angie Hains, executive director of Ecuhome Corporation, said yesterday during a meeting to discuss how to get people off the streets and into their own homes.

And for any assistance program to work, those people who move into new housing will need to get ongoing help from social agencies and the community as they adjust to their new lives.

"Supports are the foundation of houses," said Cynthia Kiy, manager of support services for Covenant House. "Without them, the houses are as flimsy as tents in the park. That's how I feel."

Hains was one of about 200 housing and social welfare advocates to attend the meeting to discuss Toronto's 10-year, $469-million-a year Housing Opportunities Toronto (HOT) – An Affordable Housing Framework 2008-2018.

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