Economic recovery throughout the Greater Toronto Region requires the active engagement of all sectors, including the vital non-profit sector that delivers a variety of critical programs and services and provides a valuable boost in the form of jobs and other economic activity. The Wellesley Institute joined with other leaders from the government and private sectors […]
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Home ownership still out of reach for most low, moderate income households
Entry into home ownership markets remains out of financial reach for low, moderate and even middle-income Canadians, according to a new analysis from the Wellesley Institute. In its latest semi-annual review of ownership affordability in Canada, RBC Economics reports that “low mortgage rates and persisting downward pressure on housing prices will to continue to help […]
Continue ReadingHome ownership still out of reach for most low, moderate income households
New video documents health impact of poverty
Population Health: The New Agenda from Vancouver Coastal Health is a brilliant new video that documents the health impact of social determinants of health; or, in simple terms, why poor people get sick and die while higher-income people live longer and healthier lives. It provides a powerful complement to Poverty Is Making Us Sick, recent research […]
Continue ReadingNew video documents health impact of poverty
'Sorry, it's rented!' – tens of thousands of Torontonians face discrimination in housing: New report from CERA
“Sorry, it’s rented”, new research from the Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation, reports that tens of thousands of Torontonians – people from racialized communities, people with mental health issues, single parents, people receiving social assistance – face serious discrimination when they try to rent a home, contrary to the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Help build a housing and homelessness map of Canada! Share your local housing and homelessness stories
Canada urgently needs a national housing plan – millions of Canadians are calling for one, and the United Nations has added its voice. The best national housing plan is built from the community up – a plan that identifies local housing and homelessness needs across the country, and pinpoints effective local housing and homeless initiatives […]
Privatizing health care services: my un-philosophical objection
According to the Vancouver Sun, new B.C. health minister Kevin Falcon doesn’t “have any philosophical objection” to patients being allowed to pay for faster access to medical services in private surgery clinics (http://www.vancouversun.com/Health/Health+minister+says+private+ health+clinics+okay+with+limits/1729495/story.html). I don’t have a philosophical objection to it either. My objection is practical. If we allow health care procedures to be […]
Continue ReadingPrivatizing health care services: my un-philosophical objection
US President Obama lifts up non-profit sector, promises "new partnership" with federal government
“Solutions to America’s challenges are being developed every day at the grass roots – and government shouldn’t be supplanting those efforts, it should be supporting those efforts.” With those stirring words, US President Barack Obama announced “a new kind of partnership between government and the non-profit sector” in a speech on Tuesday at the White House […]
UK PM Brown announces multi-billion investments in new affordable and social housing
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced on Monday a new investment of GBP1.5 billion (Cdn$2.87 billion) to fund 20,000 new affordable and social homes over the next two years. The investment will generate 45,000 jobs in the construction trades and related sectors, according to the PM. The new investments are on top of planned spending […]
Continue ReadingUK PM Brown announces multi-billion investments in new affordable and social housing
Peel residents face 21-year wait for affordable homes; provincial consultation set for Monday
The Housing Network of Ontario is working with Peel-based housing and homelessness advocates to ensure that the real solutions to the housing needs of people living in Peel Region are front and centre at the Monday (June 29th) provincial government housing consultation. The Assistant Deputy Minister – Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is expected […]
UK non-profits face ‘take it or leave it’ approach from funders, says Critical Conditions report
Non-profit organizations seeking financial support are facing a large number of non-negotiable terms and conditions attached to grants from both government and charitable organizations, according to Critical Conditions, a new report from the UK’s Directory of Social Change released this week. “When funding terms and conditions are non-negotiable, applicants can be faced with a take-it-or-leave-it situation,” said […]