People may have trouble remembering what ACORN stands for, but there’s no question that the housing-rights organization has taken stands that led to major gains for tenants across Canada through the work of its 24 neighbourhood chapters.
Growth
Community Affordable Housing Solutions in Toronto: ‘We are stronger together’
The NPO Community Affordable Housing Solutions is an example of compound collaboration. It is the result of the efforts of a community group in Toronto that fought for affordable housing in the Bloor Dufferin area, efforts that resulted in an agreement between a real-estate developer, the city of Toronto and the community group. It is also the result of the synergy between Habitat for Humanity GTA, the St. Clare’s Multifaith Housing Society and the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada to establish a land trust and to administer the funds raised by the agreement.
Pandemic prompts birth of housing association in Montréal suburbs
Long perceived as a Mecca for single-family homeowners, the West Island of Montréal has been a lonely place for tenants seeking support services. A grant from the Centre, however, is helping turn the tide by funding the establishment of its first housing association.
Housing groups applaud new round of RHI funding
The federal government announced $1.5 billion for the second round of the rapid housing initiative on June 30. This phase of the program, which addresses some of the concerns raised in the first round, was well received by community-housing stakeholders, although they want the initiative to be become a permanent program.
Strengthening the First Nations housing industry, one member at a time
Being a housing manager is rewarding, but not for the faint-hearted. And for those working on reserve, it can be a lonely career path—something the First Nations Housing Professionals Association hopes to remedy. Since 2019, it has been working to professionalize this career path and offer its support to housing professionals across the country.
WoodGreen: An ambitious plan and partnerships to support growth
WoodGreen Community Services in Toronto has an ambitious plan to build 2,000 affordable housing units over 10 years. To tackle the challenge, the non-profit organization, founded in 1937, turned to the Community Housing Transformation Centre to help it acquire the resources it needs for the campaign.
In the next federal election, will you vote ‘housing’?
A coalition of housing and homelessness organizations has joined forces to launch an awareness campaign to motivate Canadians to “vote housing” in the next federal election. The campaign officially took off today.
Faith in action: turning asphalt into apartments
Faith-based organizations are often asset-rich but cash-poor. With a little help, however, they can take action to support the supply of affordable housing in their communities, and thus address issues such as loneliness and homelessness. This is the story of Co:Here Housing in Vancouver, born out of a partnership between Grandview Church and the Salsbury Community Society.
Birch Housing takes stock for the future
How do community housing organizations ensure survival, growth and anticipate the future? These are issues that Birch Housing, which has been in operation since 1975 in the Toronto area, has been thinking about. It inspired them to go undergo a process to better understand their situation and to reposition themselves with a mission, clearly defined vision, values and directions, with a view to ensure not only survival but growth.