Affordable Housing Event Aims to Address Local Needs

NAPANEE, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 22, 2011) - More than 80 housing stakeholders met today in Napanee to share ideas and best practices for creating affordable housing in small communities at the Raising Awareness and Building Partnerships for Affordable Housing symposium. The event was part of National Housing Day celebrations being held across Canada to recognize the importance of affordable housing in our communities.

The symposium was hosted in partnership by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Prince Edward - Lennox and Addington Social Services (PELASS), Housing Action Lennox and Addington (HALA) and the Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Working Group (PEC AHWG).

"This is a key event to celebrate the partnerships that make community-based housing projects successful and to advance affordable housing solutions in rural communities. By working together we can help ensure Canadians have a safe, affordable place to call home," said Peter Friedmann, General Manager, Ontario Region and Managing Director, Securitization, CMHC.

"It takes partnerships between government, industry, non-profit organizations and the private sector to build stronger communities. By working together, we can make communities throughout Lennox and Addington and Prince Edward Counties better places to live, work and grow," said Brian Elo-Shepherd, Director of Social Services, Prince Edward - Lennox and Addington Social Services.

Throughout the day, forum participants discussed housing and homelessness issues in rural communities and learned about the experiences of housing proponents who have had success developing affordable housing in their communities. Keynote speaker, Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) President and Mayor of the Town of Tecumseh, Gary McNamara, shared his insights on the important role that affordable housing plays in building vibrant and resilient communities that meet the housing needs of its residents, allowing them to age in their community with dignity.

CMHC has been Canada's national housing agency for more than 65 years. CMHC is committed to helping Canadians access a wide choice of quality, environmentally sustainable, affordable housing solutions, while making vibrant, healthy communities and cities a reality across the country.