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rparc 781 MAIN ST. #1&2 MLILTON 876-478Ë. A Metroland Community Newspaper Vol. 142 No. 40 Friday, August 3, 2001 28 Pages $1.00 (GST încluded) Region looking at housing options1 By RICHARD VIVIAN The Champion S e co nd -r es ide nc e dwellings may be the answer to Haton's affordable hous- ing shortage, says Burlington Councillor Jack Dennison. Mr. Dennison raised the issue at thse health and social services com- mittee meeting Tuesday, saying the Region needs to consider solutions ousde of providing rent subsidies. Mere's a big dîfference between lower-cost housing and supported housing. Supported housing is coat- ing on the tax base whereas lower- cost housing is lower-cost housing," he said. The suggestion surfaced during discussion of a staff report recoro- mending that Regional Chair Joyce Savoline petition the federal and provincial govemments to beef up initiatives for developers to construct low-cost housing. The recommendation passed and is expected to be officially addoessed by regional council Wednesday. Not everyone on the committee favoured opening the door to more basement, attic, and loft apartments. Ms Savoline said these types of housing aren't really lower-cost. as proven by several currently in exis- tence. "It's flot like ail of a sudden you're going to have a $400-a-month unit. These units are going from $750 and Up," she said. 'These aren't inexpen- sive units. They cater to the young professional and students mostly, but it's flot cheap." Oakville Councillor Keith Bird also expressed concem that neigh- bours of second-residence dwellings may not appreciate thse increased activity in their neighbourhood. "When you get down to where the rubber meets the road, you're now starting to change the character of the neighbourhood. That may be per- ceived to have a negative value to the neighbours on either side," he said, adding that public consultation should take place before a second- residence dwelling is approved. "If you're going to make it legal, it should flot look like the weight of govemment bas aiready decided this is a good thing for your neighbour- hood and therefore you better accept But it's a little premature to take further action on the housing short- age, warned Adelina Urbanski, com- missioner of social and community services. The Halton Housing Advisory Committee is currently preparing a report on housing - expected out this (ail. The report will look at options to increase low-cost housing, including relaxing the rules for second-resi- dence dwellings, she said. .. ..C -L lrZ c J ýA w I Comment.......5 A&E........ 12-16 Datolns ....... 17 Sports ......19-21 Classifisd .... .24-26 *Selected armas unly 1