A group of citizens and public figures want affordable housing to be front and centre at the municipal level.
The Ottawa Valley Affordable Housing Alliance is planning a series of town halls in the last two weeks of September to educate municipal candidates and learn from local residents about the housing situation in Renfrew County. They say they will reach out to municipalities, investors, builders and citizens to build support for this initiative.
The Alliance includes some notable people from across the region including Madawaska Valley CAO Sue Klatt, Killaloe Hagarty Richards Mayor Janice Tiedje, Bil Smith of the Killaloe Community Resource Centre, as well as several current councillors, municipal staff, and candidates across Renfrew County.
Spokesperson Ish Theilheimer says affordable housing has become a huge issue in the area, and says local elections give the group a chance to talk about solutions and potential action. He says it won’t be easy, but he adds there is tremendous public support already. He adds there is also a tremendous need and that housing is a human right that impacts the most vulnerable in the region.
The Alliance has started a Facebook page, and Theilheimer says that is the best way to be informed and to become involved.