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OAKVILLE'S BEST REAL ESTATE SECTION INSIDE! Beaver THE OAKVILLE N O RT H A M E R I C A' S M O S T AWA R D E D C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 46 No. 124 Region wants vacant army barracks Affordable housing list grows while Defence Department houses sit empty By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The largely deserted homes of Oakville's `Ortona Barracks' could see some activity and life again if Halton Region has its way. The Region is calling on the Department of National Defence to allow Halton to use the military housing complex, located in the area of Dorval Drive and Rebecca Street, to help solve the Region's affordable housing shortage. "We have waiting lists now that are in the neighbourhood of 1,800 people who are waiting to get into housing in Halton," said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. "We have plans to build about 120 new units this year, but even with that we anticipate that our waiting lists for next year will be longer. So there is a tremendous need." To relieve some of this pressure, the council is turning to the 64 structures that make up the Ortona Barracks. With the homes already in place, Carr feels this housing complex could almost immediately be used on a temporary emergency basis, meaning the Region would use the houses to shelter abused women, people facing severe economic difficulties and others in distress. Carr said eventually he would like to see the area used for longterm affordable housing. In either event, Halton Region has assured the Federal government there would be no cost to the DND and that Halton would take full responsibility for the screening and placing of appropriate families in the homes. "This, we believe, will go a long way to helping out, and it's a win-win situation because the land now is sitting there doing nothing," said Carr. From time to time, Canadian Forces members, reservists and civilian employees of the government of Canada, occupy the houses. "There are just a few people in there and we believe, in light of that, we can utilize the land and put it to good use by making sure that people Inside Artscene...............................34 Sports...................................39 Classified ............................43 Full Delivery: The Bay, Sears, Mark's Work Warehouse, Rona, Stoney Creek Furniture, Partial Delivery: Bell Sympatico, Sport Mart, Sterling House, JYSK, The Beat Goes On, Floor Coverings, Mario's 2-4-1 Pizza, James Boyd, Goodyear, M&M's, Party Packagers, Stoney Creek Furniture, Home Depot, Bouclair, Swiss Chalet, Peoples Jewellers, For home delivery & customer service call (905) 845-9742 Mon., Tues. and Thurs. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Wed. 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri. 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat 10 a.m.-3 p.m. NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS call (905) 845-9742 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com HUGE PRE-SEASON REBATES! DON'T MISS OUT! These are some of the largest Government and Manufacturer Rebates ever offered! For Deadlines and Complete Details call 905-844-2949 www.oakvillebeaver.com Everything for HER SPECIAL 8 PAGE FEATURE INSIDE DUNDEE MORTGAGE SERVICES INC. CALLI CHRIS NG: TINA Renew your mortgage rate 3-4 months before your current term ends. No Broker Fees on Mortgages. 3 YRS 5.70% 5 YRS 5.79% 5 YEAR Variable Rate Mortgage -0.95% PRIME PAUL FOLEY MORTGAGE CONSULTANT 905-827-8009 ABBEY PLAZA, OAKVILLE · Third Line at Upper Middle 321 Cornwall Rd. Old Oakville Market 905.815.8777 "USING COMMUNICATION TO BUILD BETTER COMMUNITIES" WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2007 88 Pages $1.00 (plus GST) LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER HALTON HAS A BETTER IDEA: If Halton Region has its way, the Department of National Defence will turn over about 64 homes on Tudor Avenue to the Region to help reduce the demand for affordable housing. The houses were once used to house military personnel for the Canadian Army's Ontario Central Command, which was closed in 1971. have safe affordable housing." The Region is currently putting together a business plan for the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Housing in which it will make its case for using the military housing. Carr said the information concerning how many people can be accommodated in these homes, how quickly they could be moved in and the overall cost will be researched over the coming weeks with the business plan itself being scheduled for submission in a month or so. "Right now they're in the middle of the process of declaring surplus land and what you've got is the federal bureaucracy dealing with it and sometimes it takes an inordinate amount of time to get this done." Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr "They don't need the facility anymore, they've made that clear," said Carr. "Right now they're in the middle of the process of declaring surplus land and what you've got is the federal bureaucracy dealing with it and sometimes it takes an inordinate amount of time to get this done. So, what we're saying is, `let's cut through this, let's help people right away and let's not leave it to the bureaucracy to slow things down.'" The Town of Oakville also showed See Waiting page 4 all new! 2008s Satisfaction is only a test drive away. GRAND CARAVAN 2008 $ lease for 1.79% APR PER MONTH FOR 24 MONTHS 359 TOWN & COUNTRY Between Kerr & Dorval 2008 479 $ lease for PER MONTH FOR 24 MONTHS 175 Wyecroft Rd., Oakville 905.845.6653 www.lockwoodchrysler.com This ad is valid for date of publication. Lease payments are plus PST & GST, lic fee term 20,400km per year ,.15 cents per km over charge. Lease payments are based on Freight($1300), dealer admin, globei, nitrosafe,air tax due on delivery. See dealer for details.