Housing Affordability Working Group
Co-Chairs: Mary Huang, Brenda Knight, Daniela Viseman
The Centertown Community Association Housing Affordability Working Group has been formed to work towards increasing awareness and promoting the understanding of the issues and building blocks to resolve the housing affordability crisis in Centretown and Ottawa.
Goals of the Housing Affordability Working Group :
Engage interested people to develop recommendations and initiatives designed to facilitate advocacy and potentially creation of more affordable housing and moderate housing in Centretown and Ottawa;
To work collaboratively with existing organizations currently engaged in affordable housing, non profit housing and homelessness alleviation;
To invite key stakeholders and subject matter experts to community learning workshops;
To take action and present motions to the CCA, Councilors, MPPs and MPs when needed;
Collaborate with other community associations and other groups on the initiative;
Taking action as lead or partner on housing issues through petitions, email campaigns, and community mobilization around improving the housing situation in Centretown and Ottawa.
Main Areas of Concern:
To continue to prioritize and supporting Councilor’s and community groups’ initiatives;
To increase awareness of the importance in the upcoming elections the discussions on affordable housing platforms of the different parties and representation of different groups at City Council.
Interested in joining this working group? Become a CCA Member today and contact us at affordable-housing-champions@centretowncitizens.ca
Terms of Reference
Type: Working Group
Purpose: The Centretown Community Association (CCA) Housing Affordability Working Group has been formed to work towards increasing awareness and promoting the understanding of the issues and building blocks to resolve the housing affordability crisis in Centretown and Ottawa.
Rationale: The CCA is concerned with rent affordability and the rising level of homelessness in Centretown. In 2020, the City of Ottawa declared a housing and homelessness emergency. The CCA expects change and wants to hold the city and other levels of government accountable for addressing the housing crisis.
Responsibilities: The Housing Affordability Working Group seeks to:
Engage interested people to develop recommendations and initiatives designed to facilitate advocacy and potentially create more affordable and moderate housing in Centretown and Ottawa;
Work collaboratively with existing organizations and other community associations engaged in affordable housing, non-profit housing and homelessness alleviation;
Invite key stakeholders and subject matter experts to community learning workshops;
Represent the CCA in delegations at all levels of government and in meetings with elected officials;
Take action as lead or partner on housing issues through petitions, email campaigns, and community mobilization around improving the housing situation in Centretown and Ottawa;
Advocate for the needs of seniors, low-income and racialized households that have difficulty accessing adequate housing;
Ensure that affordable housing is a key issue in elections at different levels of government.
Composition: The HAWG consists of a chair or co-chairs and any individual interested in the working group’s work and who adheres to the group’s objectives.
Meetings: The HAWG aims to meet monthly. The meeting invitations include agendas and updates on housing issues. The working group also organizes community workshops (webinars) on housing affordability topics.
Reporting: The HAWG reports and submits updates and recommendations to the Board.
Resources and budget: The HAWG has access to the CCA Zoom account for its meetings. Any additional expenses require board approval.
TOR review: The terms of reference may be reviewed on a needs basis.
News & Reports
Housing Affordability Workshop #3
On Wednesday, October 20th our group hosted the third community learning workshop on a core topic of policy within the spectrum of housing issues. Our guest speakers were architect and urban designer Naama Blonder, co-founder of Smart-Density consulting and design think-tank in Toronto, and industry professor and researcher Steve Pomeroy of Focus Consulting, who teaches Social Sciences at McMaster University.
Housing Affordability Workshop #2
Thank you to those who joined us at CCA's event on Non-profit housing and Co-ops on June 2. If you missed part of the workshop or wanted to share with others, we have uploaded recording of the workshop and the presentation slides from the event.
Housing Affordability Workshop #1
If you weren't able to join our Affordable Housing Workshop, we have uploaded recording of the workshop and the presentation slides from the event.