There is a critical need for additional affordable housing with support services in the City of Orillia.  I am happy to support the concept and ultimately increase the supply of affordable housing and employment opportunities in the community.  As Council recently indicated, we will continue to look for ways to bring this project to successful implementation and look forward to working alongside Raising the Roof to create new social impact in our community.

The Lighthouse is pleased to be working alongside Raising the Roof to continue creating lasting impact and change in Orillia through housing and ongoing support. The addition of these much needed new affordable rental units to our portfolio will allow The Lighthouse to provide support at all stages of the housing continuum and further our ability to support those who need our services most in the community.

Social impact projects like this one are very important to Community Builders as they meet our mandate to create affordable housing, provide meaningful employment and healthy communities. Community Builders operates a paid 16 week program for individuals with barriers to employment that is designed to give them the supports they need to enter into the labour market and find meaningful employment in the trades.

A project like this would secure long term work, give opportunity to train and employ marginalized people and create more affordable housing.

“The program has taught me that I’m capable of learning lots of new things, even during the hardest times of my life, and that no matter what obstacles are in your way, anything is possible. “

Joe is a 23 year old who participated in Community Builders’ Construction Training Program. A few weeks into the program, he confided in one of the trainers that he was sleeping outside on the street. With the money he had earned in the program and the help of the Community Builders staff, he was able to rent an apartment. Now Joe works full time at Community Builders as part of their construction crew and aspires to one day build a house from the ground up.

In my role as chair of Orillia’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, we are always looking for projects that offer a wide variety of community benefits. [Raising the Roof] has integrated seamlessly with local partners, City staff, Council and our committee and continue to uphold our community values as they proceed toward the necessary approvals. We look forward to continuing our support for this project and working alongside the Reside team to ensure its success.

I was pleased to hear of Raising the Roof’s successful application under the Federal Lands Initiative. This project will bring much needed affordable housing into the downtown core and I look forward to this partnership in our community, building on existing supports to help combat homelessness while also providing support and career training.

I am able to focus on achieving my goals in a realistic way. I live independently and know where to get supports. In this short amount of time, I have been able to achieve goals and set new ones. I look forward to what is next. Thank you.

The social impact of Community Builders and their Construction Trainee Program will be far reaching, benefiting families in need, specifically individuals with barriers to employment. Recipients will receive paid training and life skills development in the construction industry with a focus on creating and maintaining affordable housing. The training will provide hands on trades training, math, essential skills training, career planning and employment support. This will assist with lifting families out of poverty, providing access to full time higher paying jobs and in turn reducing or eliminating social assistance payments and government subsidies.