Housing for midlife and older women is fraught with challenges, and OWN, in partnership with other associations, has from its inception been advocating for a national housing strategy.
In 2009, OWN held a Housing Forum co-sponsored by the Centre for Women’s Studies (OISE) and issued recommendations. See the report (pdf) and PowerPoint slides, and there is also a longer version (pdf) with more detailed history, bibliography, etc.
OWN Housing Committee
Currently the Housing Committee is sponsoring the Housing Literacy Series, a free lecture series featuring speakers on affordable housing, and creating a knowledge base from which we hope to select a “do-able” project that will help alleviate at least one of the many challenges in the housing sector. We welcome everyone to these free lectures. Please consult this web page for future events, or phone the OWN office at 416-214-1518.
The third lecture in the series, “What Really Works in Creating Affordable Housing?” by Heather McGregor, CEO, Toronto YWCA, was held on Nov. 9, 2011. She spoke to us about the new YMCA Elm Centre that occupies a city block in downtown Toronto (see picture at right, an early architectural rendering, though the building ended up blue!). Read a full report (pdf) of the event, and see a virtual tour of the Elm Centre (scroll down to “Help Us Build Elm”).
In the summer of 2011, the OWN Housing Committee edited a Special Issue on Housing of Contact, the OWN quarterly newsletter. The first page is below, but see the complete issue here.
The Committee also recommends to those interested in housing this presentation on the history of affordable housing in Toronto by Michael Shapcott of the Wellesley Institute.
Terms of Reference
(adopted by OWN Council, August 9, 2011)
The OWN Housing Committee’s chief purpose is to develop an action plan for the creation of cost-effective housing designed to serve the particular needs of older women. To this end, the Committee will:
- Gather information on alternative types of “affordable” housing, possible locations and sources of funding.
- Against this background, prepare a practical proposal for presentation and acceptance as a priority by OWN Council.
- Spearhead implementation of this plan.
In addition, the Committee will continue to advocate for affordable housing for older women in cooperation with like-minded individuals and groups.
Participation
If you would like to join our committee and keep in touch with what we are doing, please contact:
Joan Campbell, Chair, OWN Housing Committee - joancampbell@sympatico.ca
Members:
- Bea Levis
- Erin Harris
- Kate Chung
- Margaret Jarvis
- Norma Gamble
- Thelma Allen
Page last updated Feb. 15, 2012
