For immediate Release May 9, 2013 People to Hold an Alternative Housing Summit The Peoples Housing Summit: A More

Comprehensive Housing Strategy for Regina When: Tuesday, May 14th, 2013 from 3pm-4:30pm; press conference 4pm Where: Library Room, Hotel Saskatchewan Contact: Marc Spooner, Work: 306-585-4538, email: marc.spooner@uregina.ca Back in February During his State of the City address, Regina Mayor Michael Fougere announced that the city will host a housing summit on May 13 [& 14th]. The purpose of the summit will be to discuss Regina's lack of affordable housing (Housing summit to be held in Regina in May, Leader-Post, February 14, 2013). However, affordable housing has been all but dropped from the Citys agenda. The City Councils Summit has become a developers summit and has lost its initial direction to help alleviate Reginas affordable housing crisis; many voices have been left out of the summit said Spooner. Unlike nearby cities like Saskatoon and Edmonton that view affordable housing as creating a permanent supply of affordable housing and related supports for people who are at risk of homelessness, have special needs, are transitioning toward independence, or are simply low to moderate income earners (City of Saskatoon Housing Business Plan 2011, February, 2011, p. 4), Regina has opted for the dubious made in Regina definition of affordable rental housing as "housing with rents at or below average market rent" (Housing Comprehensive Strategy Final Report, February 2013, p. 5). FYI: The more typically employed definition is a version of the one used by StatsCan, CMHC, & SaskHousing that defines affordable housing as spending less than 30% of total household income on shelter expenses. Roof-Ready Regina is calling for A More Comprehensive Housing Strategy Confirmed panelist will include: Marc Spooner (University of Regina), Alaina Harrison (Carmichael Outreach), Florence Stratton (Making Peace Vigil) Peter Gilmer (Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry/Network) Lisa Workman (Regina People Project) Angelica Barth (Queen City Tenants Association) Press conference at 4pm May 14th, 2013 Hotel Saskatchewan Library Room Other events from 3-4pm include: - Social Justice poetry by Shayna Stock - A running photo display - Agency rental atrocity log Contact: Marc Spooner, Work: 306-585-4538, email: marc.spooner@uregina.ca

Roof-Ready Regina A More Comprehensive Housing Strategy

We, the undersigned, hereby call on the City of Regina to incorporate the following strategies into its Comprehensive Housing Strategy: 1. Use the Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporations definition of Affordable Housing: The cost of adequate shelter should not exceed 30% of household income. Housing which costs less than this is considered affordable. 2. Require developers to include affordable housing in their plans or, alternatively, pay a fee into an affordable housing account. 3. Invest all revenue derived from the development or sale of City-owned land in social housing. 4. Actively work with subsidized housing providers to develop more special needs and supportive housing; including housing for those with physical disabilities, mental health issues, chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, and those with addictions. All special needs and supportive housing initiatives should be required to adhere to pertinent accessibility codes. Additionally, the City should explore opportunities to partner with the provincial and federal governments to create Housing First opportunities for Reginans. 5. Use approaches such as the following in order to achieve the goal of retaining and regenerating existing housing stock: rental unit licensing and a rental unit inspection program. Protect renters who file complaints. Seize property that does not comply with City codes, as well as abandoned and boarded-up houses. Repair seized units and convert them to social housing. 6. Deny applications for residential demolition permits when the rental vacancy rate is below 3%. Apply the same standard 3% rule to condominium conversions. 7. Pressure the provincial government to pass rent regulations or control legislation.

Carmichael Outreach Regina Anti-Poverty Network Making Peace Vigil Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry Queen City Tenants Association Project People -30-