Another branch of “Our Health” is called “Straight Talk”.  Coming Soon: February sometime. Will advise as soon as we know.

The cost of home ownership keeps increasing. Wages for many have not kept pace. Many working families can often not afford adequate housing. The housing and homelessness crisis in Ontario is serious and widespread, cutting across all corners of the province and hitting everyone from the middle class to our most vulnerable residents. At its core, it reflects a shortage of affordable housing supply right across Ontario.

Finding an affordable home is often exacerbated by insufficient household income. Midland has a high proportion of low-income households at 8.1%, much higher than the County of Simcoe average of 5.3%.   Low income is the most common factor identified by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) in determining households in core housing need. Coupled with the high and rising cost of housing, it leads to a situation where far too many residents cannot afford decent housing.

Both the provincial and federal governments have taken action. Ontario’s release of the Community Housing Renewal Strategy and the Housing Supply Action Plan, and the federal government’s National Housing Strategy are intended to address the problem. But is this enough?

Let us know If this is something you would like to hear more about by voting. We will offering the telecast at Bay Shore Seniors’ Club.