They have a similar set up in the U.S. According to Wikipedia "The Housing Choice Voucher Program provides "tenant-based" rental assistance, so a tenant can move from one unit of at least minimum housing quality to another." The phrase at 'least minimum housing quality' does not sound very homey to me.
Let's face it least minimum housing quality can slip pretty quickly into not housing quality in a hurry. The recent headlines of Toronto's Mayor Tory with his hand out to the provincial and federal governments for Capital Repairs in order to stop future closure of much needed subsidized units are an attestation to that fact. Then there's the fact that the vouchers are only good for 30 days when many landlords (including TCHC) demands a tenant give 60 days notice. Furthermore, there is the intrusiveness not only for those in need of a voucher, but, also for the landlords as the units need to be inspected to see if they actually meet the minimum standards. Finally, there is the suburbanization of crime. Stats indicate that once housing vouchers are part of a communities rental economy there is incentive for undesirables to explore and expand into new territories. Even if I was still all gung ho about the proposed Portable Housing Benefit, I would very much run the risk of ending up in a community that (from the outside) may look very different but would eventually inherit some, if not all, of the imperfections of my current neighbourhood. That's not a risk I am willing to take. The evil that I know (and that knows me) is far better than the evil I don't.
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Canadian Music Week announces the 18th Canadian Independent Music Awards – presented by Jim Beam with Indie88 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in downtown Toronto on May 12. The annual event will feature performances by two time Juno award nominees The Rural Alberta Advantage, Vancouver based indie-folk rock trio Said the Whale, Toronto’s power pop rock band Sam Coffey and the Iron Lungs and the winner of the Jim Beam talent search.
Nominations are now open: Part concert and part awards, the Indies are a celebration of national and international independent musicians making outstanding achievements in this area. Submit your nomination(s!) today for a chance to be recognized among industry peers, media and fans alike. Submissions are being accepted through indies.ca until March 16, 2018. Ticket Info: On-sale: March 2 @ 10:00 am here. On February 28th, 2018 a group of approximately fifty people gathered at Metro Hall for the Portable Housing Benefit Forum put on by the Social Planning Council of Toronto.
Basically, the proposed Portable Housing Benefit would allow individuals to take their subsidies into the private housing rental market. Toronto Community Housing would no longer be their only option. I, myself, have often been frustrated enough by the bureaucracy within North America's second largest social housing provider that I have requested the government attach the subsidies to the individuals instead of the units. Then I would move out. TCHC is not exactly a social environment. This place more often resembles of a cross between a three-quarter way house (the stop in between a halfway house and a return to jail) and an addiction non-treatment center. There are no guards or social workers present to monitor, document, or deal with any of the issues that arise. So, it's only natural, that if you still have a few of your marbles left, you would want an exit strategy. A portable housing benefit seems like it could be the answer. Hold up a second. Not so fast. TORONTO, ON - On February 28, MusiCounts, Canada's leading music education charity, announced that Laura Lee Matthie of Orillia Secondary School in Orillia, ON is the 2018 recipient of the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award. The surprise announcement took place in Matthie's classroom with her excited students and colleagues. Matthie was honoured for her outstanding dedication to inspiring the musical growth of her students, with some going on to become music teachers themselves.
"Laura Lee has a long-standing reputation of excellence, and has made an impact on her students and the music education community," said Kristy Fletcher, Executive Director, MusiCounts. "We're impressed by Laura Lee's teaching innovations, and how she has inspired students to pursue music beyond the classroom. We were honoured to visit Orillia Secondary School today and recognize Laura Lee as the 2018 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award recipient." Matthie will receive $10,000 plus a significant contribution to her school's music program. In addition, she will experience VIP treatment throughout JUNO Week, receiving her Award at the Chairman's Reception, attending the JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards and will walk the red carpet at the JUNO Awards Broadcast on March 25 in Vancouver. Matthie has been a music teacher for 22 years, two and half of which have been spent at Orillia Secondary School. Matthie is the recipient of the 2015 Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) Excellence in Education Teaching Award, and shows her passion for music through her tireless efforts to promote music education in her school and community. Matthie has been working on a project called "Teachers Taking Out Grades" which is focused on the intrinsic value of learning rather than on the grade, resulting in a remarkable increase in engagement for her students. Matthie also serves as the Arts Department Chair at Orillia Secondary School, Treasurer of the Ontario Music Educators' Association and co-chair for the Ontario Music Educators' Conference. She delivers workshops within the school, her board and at faculties of education. "It is a huge honour to receive this award," said Laura Lee Matthie. "It goes out to my students, all of my teachers and fellow colleagues across Canada. Thank you, MusiCounts." Photo Credit: Barry Roden |