LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Who’s affordable housing for?

On Thursday, Mayor Justin Towndale shared a tweet from the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) showing that he and Cornwall Chief Administration Officer Mathieu Fleury met with representatives of the association to discuss the development of affordable housing in Cornwall.

A quick search of the Mayor’s social media and city news releases shows that this is the first time that the city or the mayor discussed actions being taken to address affordable housing and the homelessness crisis in Cornwall since the tragic death of Diane Hebert at one of the encampments in the city last November.

Prior to Hebert’s death, work on this file was rarely mentioned. That is not to say that I don’t think that there has been work done on this important issue, but like with many things, communication has left much to be desired as I feel is exemplified by this latest post about the OREA meeting.

There have not been posts on social media about meetings with the United Way of SD&G, the Social Development Council, or Unity Street Help who are actively engaged with this issue.

While no doubt developers and real estate agents can be a part of the solution to the affordable housing problem, the emphasis the mayor has put on these meetings, and the absence of emphasis on meeting with community groups, gives the impression that the city sees affordable housing as being about those who can profit from it, rather than about those who most need it.

OREA seems to be directly parroting the housing policies of Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government, and why wouldn’t they be? Their current CEO Tim Hudak is a previous Progressive Conservative leader himself.

While Ford’s policies will build homes, they are geared towards maximizing profits for developers over maximizing housing that is sustainable and affordable.

Just last week the Ford government was chastised by federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser for their refusal to support the construction of four-plexes and other forms of dense housing in favour of single family homes; a decision that could cost Ontario $357 million in federal housing funding.

Ford’s attitude against four-plexes will lead to more clear cutting of greenspace to build subdivisions full of single family homes that will grow urban sprawl. In a three sentence message about the Ontario budget last week, Towndale endorsed Ford’s housing policy.

Messaging from Cornwall’s leaders should show a consciousness to these issues and demonstrate a vision for the future that has an emphasis on housing that is accessible, sustainable, and affordable.

Nick Seebruch
Cornwall, Ontario