Oakville, ON, November 20, 2015 – The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board (OMDREB) organized the 2015 National Housing Day event with co-sponsorship from the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB), which was held at Glen Abbey Golf Club on November 19, 2015. In addition to moderating the event, Stephanie O’Keefe, Director of Community Development, of Affordable Housing Halton gave her thoughts on the importance of National Housing Day.
“It’s an issue that affects everyone living in this community, from young people just starting out who wish to remain in the community they grew up in, hardworking families struggling to make ends meet because of the high cost of housing, to seniors who find it harder to maintain their housing,” said host and moderator, Stephanie O’Keefe from Affordable Housing Halton. “You don’t earn the right to live in Oakville; you have the right to live in Oakville. No one should feel like they have to leave their community.”
This is an annual opportunity for organizations specializing in the issues of affordable housing and homelessness in the Halton area to come together and address housing issues in an open forum, and representatives were able to present news and findings.
Wendy Rinella, CEO of The Oakville Community Foundation, gave a presentation about the lack of affordable housing in the Oakville community at the event.
“We have significantly fewer affordable homes than our neighbours. Only four per cent of homes sold meet the low-income cutoff of $328,000 whereas our neighbours have significantly more; Burlington 54 per cent and Milton 40 per cent,” Rinella said. “A lack of affordable housing means that more people are likely living below the poverty line because we know they’re spending more of their income on shelter and that creates stress and anxiety. We have to deal with the multiplicity of issues as a result of the lack of affordable housing in our community.”
Also attending the event to give a presentation was Andrew Balahura, Director of Housing Services Division at Halton Region.
“[National Housing Day] recognizes the great partnerships we have in the community [and] the fact that there are people in our communities that need assistance,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to come together to look at partnerships and creative ways to work together to address that issue.”
About The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board (OMDREB)
The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board represents over 1,500 REALTORS® who serve the communities of Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills and the surrounding areas. OMDREB serves its members through a variety of support and services, including professional development, technology and advocacy.
Established in 1954, the Board also champions shelter-based charitable endeavours that are important to the local communities in which its members work and serve.
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For further information:
Stephanie Lai, Communications Officer
The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board
stephanie@omdreb.on.ca
905-844-6491 Ext. 101
