Dec. 13, 2007 - Land Transfer Tax Rebate Extended

TORONTO – The McGuinty government is giving all first-time homebuyers a break on land transfer tax by proposing to expand the Land Transfer Tax Refund Program to include purchases of resale homes, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan announced today.

“Expanding this Land Transfer Tax refund is an important part of our government’s commitment to helping Ontarians buying their first home,” Duncan said.

Effective midnight tonight, first-time buyers of resale homes, as well as newly constructed homes, would be eligible for a refund from the provincial government of up to $2,000 of the Land Transfer Tax paid.

The expanded Land Transfer Tax Refund Program for First-time Homebuyers is part of a package of new tax initiatives announced in the 2007 Fall Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review that would provide $1.4 billion in provincial tax relief for business and people over three years.  The government is making strategic investments in people, communities and infrastructure to strengthen Ontario’s economic advantage and help manufacturers and other sectors challenged by current economic conditions.

Dec. 13, 2007 - Local Businesses Team Up to Adopt Families For Christmas

Local Businesses Team Up to Adopt Families For Christmas

Local business owner and Milton resident Dan O'Neill, known around town as 'Big Dan' has teamed up with Lumberville's Pasquale Mercurio Jr. to raise money to provide Christmas for families that cannot afford it. When asked why, Big Dan's reason is to continue a family tradition: "When my dad was alive he always provided a Christmas dinner for those families who needed it. He would also make my siblings and I pick one of our Christmas gifts and donate that gift to those same families. It has always been my dream to carry on this tradition in his honour. Even though we have not lived in Milton long, Kristi and I consider this home and we want the Town of Milton to know we want to support the community in as many ways as we can. The Adopt Families for Christmas is one of the more important ways we want to give back to the community, and we hope this is just the start of a long journey paying it forward."

The families being supported will be helped through the efforts of Halton Women's Place and Kerr Street Ministries. The program was launched recently by Milton Mayor Gord Krantz and representatives from both charities at the Lumberville store. In commenting on what this program will mean to Miltonians, Mayor Krantz commented that this initiative is a shining example of the community-mindedness of Miltonians, both long-time and new residents.

You can drop off supermarket gift cards, un-wrapped children's gifts and other donations to Lumberville at 318 Bronte St. S in Milton or to Platemaker at 420 Main St. E. #401 (the UPS Store).

From left to right, back row are: Pasquale Mercurio Jr., Christina Mackay from Halton Women's Place, Representatives from Kerr Street Ministries, Dan & Kristi O'Neill of Platemaker. Front Row is Mayor Krantz and staff of Platemaker.

Dec. 4, 2007 - Christmas In Milton

Dec. 4, 2007 - Winter Comes to Milton

Well, it's finally here! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! I love Winter!! Here's a few pictures taken this past Sunday, on a walk around the Milpond.

I didn't expect the pond to be completely frozen over, and had hoped for some waterfowl to be there; I was disappointed. I did, however, see some wildlife who seem to have gotten lost . . .

There's a lovely couple living in the trees over the tail of the pond - they sure looked happier last Christmas Eve when we had no snow and mild temperatures.

This one was taken down by the pool at the very end of the pond, close to the railway tracks.

We'd love to see your favourite pictures of Winter in Milton - just email them to me at chris@new-all.com and we'll get them posted as soon as we can.

Dec. 2, 2007 - Halton Housing Strategy

Why is a housing strategy important for residents of Halton Region?

At the Region of Halton, we believe that people in Halton should be able to remain in their own community regardless of age, income or situation. However, a recent report by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities found that in Halton, over the last 10 years, more people with low incomes are spending more than 30% of their income on shelter, making it difficult to find money for food, clothing, medicine and other basic necessities. The lack of affordable housing and supply of low-rent units is making it too expensive for low-income people to live in Halton, and is raising the risk of homelessness.

Halton is known to be an affluent community. Is there really a need for affordable housing? 

Halton remains a great place to live and work. However, there is still a significant amount of work that needs to be done to improve the quality of life for some people whose household income is insufficient for food and shelter costs. According to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Quality of Life Report Series:

• Halton’s poverty rate was 7.1 % in 2001, up from 6.8% in 1991
• In 2001, 38.8% of renters paid more than 30% of household income on shelter (15.6% of those paid more than 50%)

According to a survey conducted in 2005 by Ipsos-Reid:

• 79% of Halton residents agree that housing costs are high in the Region
• 23% of Halton residents faced problems or know someone who faced problems finding the type of housing they required in Halton.
• Almost one of every three Halton residents are concerned there will not be enough affordable housing in Halton within the next 10 years

Back to questions

What is Halton doing to address the issue of affordable housing?

  We are currently researching and implementing several priority initiatives related to the Comprehensive Housing Strategy (CHS), and here are a few of the results for 2007:

• Launch of pilot ‘Be a Hero. Be a Voice for Affordable Housing.’ high school contest to raise public awareness and acceptance of the need for all types of housing in Halton
• Drafting a sustainable plan to create 800 new units of affordable housing by 2015
• Participation in the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program
• Created a working group to address issues of accessible housing
• Working with the federal government to allocate funds locally from the new Homelessness Partnering Initiative

Why is the Region of Halton responsible for affordable housing?

 In 2001, the function of funding and oversight for social housing was transferred from the Provincial Government to Halton Region. However, the Region has always played a role in affordable housing, operating a non-profit housing company since 1988 and adopting planning policy to encourage a mix of homes for all incomes and household types. Halton's Comprehensive Housing Strategy pdf 3.3 mb addresses the full range of housing needs for residents.

Is there help for those who need affordable housing now?

If you need a place to rent or supportive housing, contact:
Halton Region, 905-825-6000, Toll free: 1-866-442-5866, TTY: 905-827-9833

Assisted Housing - Halton Community Housing Corporation (HCHC)

Halton Region provides housing through the Halton Community Housing Corporation (HCHC) . HCHC provides housing to families, seniors, couples, singles and people with special needs in a variety of housing forms including townhouses, apartments, as well as single and semi-detached dwellings. Most of the housing is available on a rent-geared-to-income basis, however some properties offer market rent units. We currently own and operate 1,816 units of social housing in 26 communities across Oakville, Burlington, Acton, Georgetown and Milton.

Central Wait List - Halton Access to Community Housing (HATCH)

There are 5,323 units of government-assisted, non-profit and co-op housing in the Region. The Region operates a central wait list, Halton Access to Community Housing (HATCH) for access to most of these units. However, the wait can be two to five years or longer.

Rent Supplement Program

Halton Region administers a rent supplement program that provides subsidies in 365 units in privately owned buildings. Most tenants for these units are selected from the HATCH wait list. Subsidies are given to tenants who are currently paying more than 30% of their gross income on rent. The tenant is expected to pay 30% of their income on rent and utilities, while the subsidy will pay for the rest.

Housing Help Centre

Halton Region also operates a Housing Help Centre , which is a free service providing on-site staff assistance, online access to vacancy listings and several resources to assist both housing seekers and landlords in the private sector. While these units are not rent-geared-to income, this service provides information on other potential opportunities for affordable housing seekers.

Is there help for those who need emergency shelter?

If you are homeless and need emergency shelter contact:
Halton Region, 905-825-6000, Toll free: 1-866-442-5866, TTY: 905-827-9833

Halton Region refers homeless individuals to the Salvation Army Halton Lighthouse Shelter. Operated by the Oakville Salvation Army, the shelter can accommodate up to 25 single men, women and youth. Lighthouse services include resume preparation, job search techniques and counselling.

Victims of domestic violence are referred to Halton Women’s Place  in Burlington (30 beds) or Milton (20 beds).

Families are housed in eight transitional housing units across the Region or in motels.

As a taxpayer, how much is this going to cost me?

Housing solutions can be created through policy changes or financial incentives. Halton Region’s position is that the Federal and Provincial governments must lead the way in supporting affordable housing. Any cost implications to the Region would be considered by Regional Council as part of the regular budget process.

Where to the dollars come from to develop the plan?

Halton Region is responsible for all costs associated with the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Housing Strategy, however, when federal or provincial governments create new programs that provide solutions to housing issues locally (like the new Homelessness Partnering Initiative) we may choose to participate in these programs and receive funds to assist in our efforts