Another option for more affordable housing in Durham Region.
First understand that municipalities, both the upper tier Region of Durham and its 8 lower tier municipalities are registered as qualified donees under the Income Tax Act to receive donated gifts. This means they also can issue receipts to the donors for income tax purposes.
Second, although the Region has been renting motel and hotel rooms for the unsheltered, and last summer approved building a new facility to accommodate 50 individuals (planned in Beaverton but not yet under construction) as well as approved temporary modular units (10 planned for Olive Avenue), the Region can accept donations of residential units for affordable housing.
Therefore the option exists for developers and builders across Durham Region to gift to the Region one or more units being built in their new development projects. It would be their caring and proactive contribution to help the affordable housing crisis. (The units could be either freehold, condo ownership or long term rentals).
The Region of Durham's Social Services Department has programs in place to determine individuals and families that qualify for housing assistance. However, the Region has a shortage of residential units to meet the needs of vulnerable Durham residents desperate for affordable housing.
The Region is the provider for local social housing and also has the funding and responsibility to set up management and maintenance support for those individuals and families it places in its residential units.
Also the Region of Durham Non-Profit Housing Corporation is responsible for the upkeep and repair of its housing units.
A developer/builder ‘gifting program’ to improve affordable accommodation in Durham Region would be completely on a voluntary basis.
In addition to providing additional housing, consider the benefits of gifting accommodation units to the Region of Durham — improving the well-being of the community at large, as well as good public relations for developers/ builders, the Region of Durham and the lower tier Mayors, all for being proactive and showing they care.
Obviously the Region Chair and each of the Mayors have on-going business relationships with the developers and builders. Many prominent individuals in the new housing construction industry in Durham Region regularly contribute to the Region Chair and Mayors' election campaigns; Mayors' Galas and Mayors' Golf Tournaments etc.
To seriously consider such a new initiative, the Region of Durham Chair and lower tier Mayors should canvass their developer contacts for an open exchange of ideas and inspire new community champions for affordable accommodation gifting.
First understand that municipalities, both the upper tier Region of Durham and its 8 lower tier municipalities are registered as qualified donees under the Income Tax Act to receive donated gifts. This means they also can issue receipts to the donors for income tax purposes.
Second, although the Region has been renting motel and hotel rooms for the unsheltered, and last summer approved building a new facility to accommodate 50 individuals (planned in Beaverton but not yet under construction) as well as approved temporary modular units (10 planned for Olive Avenue), the Region can accept donations of residential units for affordable housing.
Therefore the option exists for developers and builders across Durham Region to gift to the Region one or more units being built in their new development projects. It would be their caring and proactive contribution to help the affordable housing crisis. (The units could be either freehold, condo ownership or long term rentals).
The Region of Durham's Social Services Department has programs in place to determine individuals and families that qualify for housing assistance. However, the Region has a shortage of residential units to meet the needs of vulnerable Durham residents desperate for affordable housing.
The Region is the provider for local social housing and also has the funding and responsibility to set up management and maintenance support for those individuals and families it places in its residential units.
Also the Region of Durham Non-Profit Housing Corporation is responsible for the upkeep and repair of its housing units.
A developer/builder ‘gifting program’ to improve affordable accommodation in Durham Region would be completely on a voluntary basis.
In addition to providing additional housing, consider the benefits of gifting accommodation units to the Region of Durham — improving the well-being of the community at large, as well as good public relations for developers/ builders, the Region of Durham and the lower tier Mayors, all for being proactive and showing they care.
Obviously the Region Chair and each of the Mayors have on-going business relationships with the developers and builders. Many prominent individuals in the new housing construction industry in Durham Region regularly contribute to the Region Chair and Mayors' election campaigns; Mayors' Galas and Mayors' Golf Tournaments etc.
To seriously consider such a new initiative, the Region of Durham Chair and lower tier Mayors should canvass their developer contacts for an open exchange of ideas and inspire new community champions for affordable accommodation gifting.
