OrilliaMatters welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected]. Please include your daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). This article is in response to our article, titled 'Resident fears affordable housing project would be monstrosity', published Aug. 25.
*************************
I was completely disappointed in the outcome of the open house that was held in regards to this development planned for the Regent Park United Church property.
I have spent up to 25 years working as a volunteer on this subject, and have been president of four housing corporations and the developer of Hillcrest Lodge which has been housing seniors successfully now for 14 years. I am also a resident of this community and a previous attendee at this church when it was active.
I was disappointed at not being made aware of this meeting, but more so in the results. I originally suggested to the United Church that this property be used for affordable housing and sent emails asking to be updated on progress toward that goal.
I would suggest that affordable housing does not mean anything. It originally meant rent geared to income. It is not defined in your article.
People aware of homelessness should have input into the development of this property. Why is it always the money people making these decisions? Why not the board? What is the make up of this board? Is it non profit?
The answers given on seniors is inappropriate. Obviously the developers have not walked in their shoes. This project will only supply affordable housing for 24 people. The other 56 are at market rent.
Maybe the Hillcrest model should be looked at as it was developed on United Church property and it is 100 per cent rent geared to income for all renters.
Ken McMullen
Orillia
*************************
