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wamw‘oumofltcu-weh‘ - '.iun‘¢22'.20u-3 "IS" ( : II I I a ? N I EWS kitchenerktacom ® 519-571-2828 One year’s difference ‘ C . SHOW celebrates anniversary, HHUG 201 1 report card for Waterloo released ~ . l By pMGE DEMON!) of Waterloo Region. Chronicle Staff . Smith said the lack of afford- . able housing here does put the One year ago (Zolin Plant didn’t 3 disabled in a position of seeking have a place to call home. W.“ other accommodation. often in He didn't have access to secure. '. ‘ . the private rental market. affordable housing and relied on a ‘ This is where issues of discrim- network of community services ination too often arise, he said. and a close-knit group of others in i “There are long waiting lists for the same situation. 1 ‘ an affordable. accessible space." He was caught between living - Smith said. in housing where the other ten- “Then the pool of available ants were problematic and he \ housing shrinks further when » worried his door could be kicked $ people discriminate." in at any moment and having 0‘ 5 For housing availability the nowhere to live. ' region earned a C-plus. “(My situation) was a combina- In 2010, 2.737 households were tion of some poor decisions on my on the Community Housing Wait- part and some other circum- ing List. There were 10,188 comâ€" stances that were beyond my con- pleted community housing units. trol.” Plant said. an increase of 54 from 2009 and “It can happen to anybody. 31,561 private market rent units, \ People don't want to realize that. an increase of 356 from the year ‘ “A lot of families are one payâ€" I before. cheque away." Eva Vlasov. chair of HHUG, said Plant was on hand Friday to I N strides have been made here but revel in the difference a year can teem“; 3. there is still need. make. . 3* - “if asked what the solution is Friday marked the one-year I; " . my response would be everyone anniversary of the move-in day for 3.5}; - has a role in ending homeless- Supportive Housing of Waterloo’s . 3’17": ' Y 9:, ness,” Vlasov said. five-storey building on Erb Street "'1‘:;_-..‘ Last year 2,859 people used West and also the release of the "l emergency shelters. about the Homelessness and Housing Colin Plant, 36, found stability at SHOW’s Erb Street apartment building. same as 2009. ”Enemy-five per cent Umbrella Group (HHUG) Report W“ ”(mm returned within the same year and Card 2011 3‘ Emmanuel United the lucky ones here. income experts say should be putting all her medications on her 28 per cent returned in more than ChUTCh- It gave Waterloo Region an spent on housing. charge card. one calendar year 0V8? the 935‘ The theme 0f ‘ho report was overall grade of C-plus based on For those who require any “She ended up being evicted five years ilhloVathE solutions in building marginal improvement. with an medications the results of the gap and going to livewith family." A recent informal survey 0f hOUSihg stability. It celebrated increased supply of housing. But can be devastating. Harris said many people with online ads by the Ontario Human four recently completed projects supports and affordability were Toby Harris is executive direc~ low incomes end up in that situa- Rights Commission found “P to in Waterloo. [Elmira and “When” nearly offset by increased tor of Traverse Independence in tion or live with roommates. 20 per cent 0f ads contained stateâ€" and also provided a rundown of demand. Waterloo. For others. the consequences ments that were either directly or housing staistics. The region's highest grade was The non-profit provides sup- of the small inventory of afford- potentially discriminatory. l-‘or Plant. the event "lafkt‘d a B-minus for rental housing port for adults with disabilities able. accessible housing are ACCOI’ ing 10 a press "318859. . one year since he found a son?- affordability. and acquired brain injuries to live worse. . statements in the ads SUCh 35. affordable home in one 0f ”‘9 30 Plant said one of the biggest independently. ”Urey end up in long-term care “adult building," "THUS! provide apartments in SHOW‘S building changes needed is to lessen the “There's still a gap between facilities, they end up in jail. they proof of employment” and “no ”9 was ecstatic When he W35 gap between social services what ODS? gives people and what end up in all the other systems Ontario Disability Support PTO- om‘fl‘d one Of [he apartments. allowances like Ontario Disability the rent is,” she said. because they couldn't have their gram” were common. "“3 given me me opportunity Support Program payments and She shared the story of one own place." Harris said. Smith said the centre helps 10 stabilize and move lof“'8|’d-" the rates set as affordable. client who depends on daily med- In 2010. the waiting list for educate clients when if comes to Plat" said. Affordable housing rent can eat ications. housing with support increased 18 fair access 10 housing. "WP learned a '01-" up 75 to 80 per cent of monthly “With her ODSP she could percent. the reportcardsaid. “We work With people to help l BUt the mica“ 0f the “HUG income. Plant said. well above the barely afford the rent.” Harris said. Bil Smith is executive director them be advocates for them- 1 “To" Card Sho‘“ Plant is 0'19 0f average 30 per cent of monthly "And she actually endetl up of the Independent Living Centre SElVES." Smith said. 1 l ’ "" ' " -' ' was “21“.. . , : a, 7. 3‘". y 1‘ r - ~.. -. 3 ': .. .~:-' my ‘ : ‘ _.; Wing? .37. >' v ‘ . as?“ ’5 * a, f‘ ' * *3 ses- xii”? a . . W ,. 3:" of? M ' ‘* G 7‘ _ t 3 l ‘ “‘4‘ . 3 I 3'51". l3." 1; :"9'g‘=;~i_ “’7 a ' s a . - I. .. .1 ' . ' ‘ ' ~ .. 7"”,1 a. ' Getmy fir ’* I 3 t ‘1'? 5 -- . 5 $52; ‘9‘ as? . $5333.73? '1" “ff 7 . , 3 : ”2":t .317’:5:-X’F§:§* «333‘ ‘ W ' {in e lljg-Aivffltfij”: ‘ . " ;."_ ._ p » “fish’s: no.9 r a a» 7 . r I ' g ‘ ' - ., 31’ * x f '7 ”I?” G 1 N A s W 1/ . set-um stumo arm in :3 13; A / I Aâ€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"_â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"4