A Renfrew County man says a recent series of town halls is hopefully just the start of a long process to bring more affordable housing to the region.
Ish Theilheimer is a spokesperson for the new Affordable Housing Alliance of Ottawa Valley. The group just completed a series of open meetings to generate discussion on the topic. The September meeting at the Barry’s Bay Legion brought out about 50 people.
Theilheimer says he has heard stories of painfully long affordable housing wait lists, people living in their cars and “renovictions.” That’s a term for when a landlord stops leasing to tennants to improve or sell a building.
Theilheimer adds that he hopes the alliance will co-ordinate citizen committees in each Renfrew County municipality going forward. They hope to inspire elected officials and governments to take more action.
Those who want to learn more about the Alliance, can go to the group’s Facebook page.
