ONPHA’s blog is your go-to source for news, insights, and resources related to community housing in Ontario. Stay up-to-date on sector trends, government policies on housing, and practical management tips.
Discover inspiring stories of local community housing initiatives, learn about funding opportunities, and empower yourself with the information you need to make a positive impact on non-profit housing in your community.
Community housing providers find themselves in an exciting time of historic government investment in our sector. At the same time, we are also facing the challenges of end of operating agreements/mortgages and heightened expectations and requirements from funders. Now more than ever we will need sound financial oversight. Read more of the article: Is My Organization Financially Healthy?
We are a non-profit housing provider, are we required to use the Ministry of Housing’s new standard lease after April 30? Read more of the article: The Ministry of Housing’s New Standard Lease
The use of recreational and medical cannabis has raised a number of questions for non-profit housing providers. To help clear up some of the confusion, we're answering your most common questions on this issue. Read more of the article: Clearing up the Confusion about Cannabis Pt. 2
Question: A bedbug infestation has taken place in one of our units. The unit is overcrowded with the tenant’s belongings, and we have been told by the exterminator that pest control treatment cannot be completed unless a significant amount is cleared out. The tenant will not cooperate in emptying their unit. As a landlord, do I have authority to remove contents from the unit? Read more of the article: Bed Bugs in a Cluttered Unit
The use of recreational and medical cannabis is a hot topic in Ontario right now, and it has raised a number of questions for non-profit housing providers. To help clear up some of the confusion, we're answering your most common questions on the issue. Read more of the article: Clearing up the Confusion about Cannabis Pt.1
It’s awards season again, and ONPHA’s 2018 Awards program is now accepting nominations. To kick things off for 2018, we caught up with Patricia Mueller, Executive Director of ONPHA’s 2017 Award for Excellence winner Homes First Society. Homes First was recognized for their low-barrier,… Read more of the article: Patricia Mueller on Homes First Society’s Big Win
Coming together through a whirlwind of change With all that’s happened in the affordable housing sector over the past year, it seems like community housing providers have barely had a chance to catch their breath. First, we saw something that the sector hadn’t seen in more than 20 years. Last… Read more of the article: Taking stock of the past year
Note: this information applies to the 2018 property tax assessment appeal deadline ONPHA previously wrote about how Ontario’s property tax system does not treat non-profit housing providers consistently. Some providers are fully or partially exempt from property taxes through provincial legislation or municipal by-laws, but there are… Read more of the article: Navigating the Property Tax Assessment Appeal Process
Question: One of our tenants has recently acquired a scooter for mobility but we’re not sure how to accommodate it. What steps should we take? Read more of the article: Member Support Question: Storing Scooters
How to prepare for the 2018 Provincial Election Now that the federal government has delivered the National Housing Strategy, we need the Province to build off that momentum with well-designed initiatives and matching investments. As the Ontario election fast approaches, ONPHA will be ramping up our advocacy efforts in support… Read more of the article: Preparing for the 2018 Provincial Election
