"Ronan Henneberry says affordable housing saved his life. He's lived with his cat in The Refuge, a youth outreach centre in Oshawa, since May. I have, for once in my life, choices, he said. I have options. I can do things where I don't have to worry about being homeless. Henneberry lives in one of 26 units inside a former school building. The apartments range in size from 150 to 200 square feet, each equipped with a kitchenette, private bathroom and internet access."
"The Refuge launched its affordable housing project in May, responding to what the mayor of Oshawa has called a homelessness crisis in the city. Close to 500 people are homeless in Oshawa, according to data from July, and around 1,000 people in Durham Region overall. Youth have been priced out of the housing market and are dealing with deteriorating mental and physical health, says Clarence Keesman, executive director at The Refuge. Something had to be done, he said."
"Residents at The Refuge pay $425 a month, which amounts to their housing benefit under Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program, he said. The program lasts four years and is renewable for as long as the resident needs. Keesman says he's seen youth enrolled in shorter, non-renewable programs panicking when the program is set to expire. They still can't afford anything, and then they exit into homelessness once again, he said."
A youth outreach centre in Oshawa converted a former school into 26 affordable units of 150 to 200 square feet, each with a kitchenette, private bathroom and internet access. Residents pay $425 monthly, matching Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program housing benefits. The program lasts four years and can be renewed as needed to prevent exits back into homelessness. The centre also provides meals, laundry, showers, recreational programs, counselling and housing guidance. Close to 500 people are homeless in Oshawa and about 1,000 in Durham Region, with youth facing worsening mental and physical health due to unaffordable housing.
Read at www.cbc.ca
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]